Did you know late actor Manoj Kumar kept his name after getting inspired by Dilip Kumar's character in Shabnam

Dilip Kumar and Manoj Kumar throwback

Manoj Kumar, the iconic actor and director, has always held a deep admiration for Dilip Kumar, the legendary figure in Indian cinema. Kumar's admiration for the thespian was so profound that it shaped not only his acting career but also his personal journey in the film industry.

In a candid interview with PTI, Manoj Kumar reflected on the moment when his lifelong love for cinema began. At just 11 years old, he watched Shabnam (1949), a film starring the legendary Dilip Kumar in the role of Manoj.

The performance left such a profound impact on the young Harikishan Giri Goswami that he decided then and there, "I must have been 11 years old then, but I instantly decided that if I ever became an actor, I would keep my name as Manoj Kumar." This moment of inspiration marked the beginning of Harikishan’s transformation into Manoj Kumar, a name that would soon become synonymous with patriotism and cinematic excellence.

Kumar's deep admiration for Dilip Kumar came full circle years later when he had the opportunity to direct and act alongside his idol in the 1981 film Kranti. The film, which was a grand historical drama about India’s freedom struggle, was a significant milestone in Kumar’s career, both as an actor and a filmmaker.

Manoj Kumar recalled how his dream was realised when Dilip Kumar, upon hearing the story of Kranti, agreed to be part of the project almost immediately. “We only had Dilip Kumar in mind for Kranti. When I told him the story, he agreed within two minutes. It was a dream come true for me,” he said.

On set, Kumar was in awe of Dilip Kumar’s effortless acting, discipline, and humility. He fondly remembered, “I would observe him closely on set—his effortless acting, his discipline, and his humility. He wasn’t someone who enjoyed flattery; he valued sincerity and hard work.” Kranti, written by the legendary duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, marked Dilip Kumar's return to cinema after a five-year hiatus.

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The film, which also starred Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Parveen Babi, became a major success, running for 50 weeks and enjoying a golden jubilee at the box office.

For Manoj Kumar, working alongside his cinematic idol in Kranti was the pinnacle of his career, an event that fulfilled a dream he had cherished since his childhood. As his family mourns his loss, they have confirmed that his final rites will be conducted in a private ceremony on April 5.