When Manoj Kumar filed defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan over Om Shanti Om scene and sought Rs 100 crore compensation, said, "They have disrespected me"

Manoj Kumar filed defamation case on Shah Rukh Khan

In 2007, a seemingly minor scene in Om Shanti Om escalated into a significant legal battle between Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and veteran actor Manoj Kumar. Directed by Farah Khan, Om Shanti Om became an instant hit, but one particular sequence in the film sparked a major controversy. The scene involved Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Om Prakash Makhija, entering a movie premiere by stealing an invitation pass from a veteran actor, a reference that many perceived as a parody of Manoj Kumar's iconic face-palm gesture. This subtle but noticeable mimicry offended the celebrated actor, leading to an unexpected chain of events.

Manoj Kumar, known for his roles in patriotic films like Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, felt deeply hurt by the scene, as it appeared to mock his signature pose and, by extension, his legacy. In response, he asked Farah Khan and the producers of the film to remove the scene from the final cut. Initially, they complied with his request, and the controversial moment was edited out. Shah Rukh Khan, ever the gracious star, publicly apologised for unintentionally offending the senior actor, acknowledging that he should have been more careful about the content. Speaking to reporters, Khan admitted, "I was completely wrong...If he is hurt, I apologise. I called him in the afternoon, and the first thing he said to me was 'it is no big deal, son.'" However, he also reflected, "People do parody...It is a done thing. I should have been over-careful... I should have called him earlier (to tell him about the spoof)."
At the time, Manoj Kumar's lawyer, Mukesh Vashi, made a statement indicating the actor’s hurt feelings, noting that "Indian audiences had made Manoj Kumar into an icon... That icon has been wounded, made fun of." The lawyer also pointed out that although Manoj Kumar hadn't personally seen the film, the sentiment was clear — the actor felt a moral offense, even if it wasn't necessarily a legal one.

However, the matter didn’t end there. In 2013, when Om Shanti Om was re-released in Japan, the same scene was included, reigniting the conflict. This time, Manoj Kumar sought legal recourse, filing a defamation lawsuit against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros International, the film's production company. His lawyer stated, "He (Shah Rukh Khan) promised Manoj Kumar earlier but repeated this mistake again in Japan... No personal apology was given by SRK... He is not in a mood for any settlement."

Manoj Kumar expressed his frustration, saying, "The film was released in Japan without deleting those scenes. I had forgiven them twice but not this time. They have disrespected me." He further added that the release violated a 2008 court order that had instructed the removal of the objectionable scenes from all future prints of the film. He sought damages of Rs 100 crore, a demand that highlighted the severity of the emotional and moral hurt he felt.

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Despite his firm stance, Manoj Kumar eventually withdrew his legal action, concluding that the legal process had failed to instill any sense of responsibility in Shah Rukh Khan or Farah Khan. Though the matter was settled outside of court, the incident remains a poignant reminder of the fine line between parody and respect in the world of Indian cinema.

Tragically, Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87 on April 4, 2025 due to heart-related complications. His legacy as one of Bollywood's finest actors remains intact, even as this incident with Shah Rukh Khan became part of the lore of Bollywood’s more contentious moments.