Shah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute to Late Manoj Kumar, Recalls His Impact on Indian Cinema:

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar passed away on April 4, following a prolonged struggle with chronic heart-related complications. Known for his patriotic roles and contributions to socially impactful cinema, his death drew tributes from across the film industry.

Shah Rukh Khan's Heartfelt Tribute

Among those who paid homage was Shah Rukh Khan, who expressed deep respect for the late actor on X (formerly Twitter). In his message, Shah Rukh wrote:

Manoj Kumar ji made films that uplifted our country, our cinema, and focused on unity with unmatched sincerity. A legend in every sense. His films shaped an era and left a mark on our cinema. Thank you, sir. You will always be ‘Bharat’ to us.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 4, 2025

“Manoj Kumar ji made films that uplifted our country, our cinema, and focused on unity with unmatched sincerity. A legend in every sense. His films shaped an era and left a mark on our cinema. Thank you, sir. You will always be 'Bharat' to us.”

Controversial Past Between SRK and Manoj Kumar

Despite his admiration, Shah Rukh Khan’s relationship with Manoj Kumar was not without controversy. In the 2007 film Om Shanti Om, Shah Rukh mimicked Manoj Kumar’s iconic hand-on-forehead pose in a comedic scene. Kumar found the scene disrespectful and demanded its removal, which the filmmakers complied with. Shah Rukh also issued a public apology at the time.

However, in 2013, when Om Shanti Om was released in Japan with the controversial scene still intact, Manoj Kumar filed a Rs 100 crore lawsuit against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros International, citing breach of agreement and lack of accountability.

Case Eventually Dropped

After several years of legal proceedings, Manoj Kumar withdrew the case, expressing disappointment that the legal battle had not yielded the accountability he expected from either Shah Rukh or director Farah Khan.

A Lasting Legacy

Despite the fallout, Shah Rukh’s tribute reaffirmed Manoj Kumar’s enduring influence on Indian cinema. The veteran actor, often referred to as ‘Bharat Kumar’, left behind a cinematic legacy defined by patriotism, sincerity, and storytelling that resonated across generations.