Phalke award for Manoj Kumar

New Delhi, March 4

Veteran Bollywood star Manoj Kumar, known best for his patriotic films "Purab Aur Paschim", "Upkar" and "Kranti", was today chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest official recognition in Indian cinema.

The 78-year-old actor is the 47th recipient of the award which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl.

Manoj Kumar's name was unanimously recommended by a five-member jury consisting of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Salim Khan, Nitin Mukesh and Anup Jalota.

Best known for his films "Hariyali Aur Raasta", "Woh Kaun Thi?", "Himalaya Ki God Mein", "Do Badan", "Upkar", "Pathar Ke Sanam", "Purab Aur Paschim", "Shaheed", "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" and "Kranti", he became popular as "Bharat Kumar".

Born as Harikrishna Giri Goswami in Abbottabad, now in Pakistan, Manoj Kumar was 10 when his family shifted to Delhi. He graduated from Hindu College and decided to make a career in showbiz.

The actor got his first big break in 1960 with "Kaanch Ki Gudia" but it was "Hariyali Aur Raasta" that finally established him. He went on to star in romantic hits like "Honeymoon", "Apna Banake Dekho", "Naqli Nawab", "Do Badan", "Pathar Ke Sanam", "Sajan" and "Sawan Ki Ghata".

The actor later shifted his focus to films with patriotism as the theme by acting in filmssuch as "Shaheed", which was based on the life of martyr Bhagat Singh.

He made his directorial debut with "Upkaar", said to be inspired by then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's popular slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan."

Manoj Kumar's career started to decline after "Kranti". He quit acting after his appearance in the 1995 film "Maidan-E-Jung" but returned in 1999 as director to launch his son Kunal Goswami in "Jai Hind." The film did not do well at the box office.

The actor won a National Film Award for "Upkaar" and was honoured with Padma Shri in 1992.

Anupam Kher congratulated Kumar: "Congratulations Manoj Kumar Ji for Dada Saheb Phalke Award. PTI