New Delhi: Manoj Kumar, a great actor and filmmaker celebrated for his contribution to patriotic films and Indian cinema, died on 4 April. But memories related to them will always be among the people. Recently, in a conversation with BT, his son and actor Kunal Goswami has talked about his father’s legacy and his journey in films. In the interview, he asked him how will you tell your bond with Manoj Kumar as both a son and an actor?
According to toi, in response, Kunal said, ‘As a son and actor, I have got the privilege of learning and forgetting many things about cinema and life from him. My father was lovingly known as Mr. Bharat because he had a passion for patriotism. He acted with great passion and dedication. Films like Upkar, East and West and Shaheed show how deep patriotism was contained in them. And we, their children, used to see and live that passion every day.
Kunal was asked, did you always want to become an actor?
In response, he said, ‘And suddenly, I was surrounded by media and thousands, when he was directing a scene with Dilip Kumar Sahab and Hema Malini ji. When I made my debut, I was about 14 years old. I worked with Prakash Mehra in the artist with Ghungroo and Sridevi, who became popular for his music. I acted in about 10 films, but things did not work. After my father directed me to Jai Hind (2000), I decided to move away from the film industry.
Was it a difficult decision? I once did not want to stick to the idea of the actor, especially if it meant to accept the roles that did not seem right. Having a son of a star is a two -edged sword like you get an initial platform, but there are perceptions. Many filmmakers believed that they would have to contact me through my father, who were not very sociable or easily accessible.
This hesitation continued to work against me. I myself contacted filmmakers, but I never got a strong character. Others like Kumar Gaurav and Chimpu Kapoor also passed through similar struggles. Eventually, I went into the food business. My father encouraged me to stay in films because he saw my creativity, but he never put pressure on me. The acting may have been left behind me, but I hope I will direct the film someday.
Are you planning to remake any of his films to carry forward your father’s legacy? In response to the question, Kunal said, ‘No, I don’t think those films can be remade. You can make a remake of Don like it is a commercial film like James Bond – but films like Upkar, East and Pachhim or Roti, Cloth and House are in their separate categories. The emotional depth and reference to them cannot be repeated. Even though many versions of the martyr have been formed, but people still remember Manoj Kumar as the real martyr Bhagat Singh.
