Legendary Manoj Kumar No More; A Look at his TOP 5 BEST MOVIES –

Manoj Kumar’s TOP 5 BEST MOVIES:

It’s a sad day for cinema lovers and Bollywood enthusiasts as the legendary Manoj Kumar has passed away. The actor, producer, and director, who contributed to the golden phase of Bollywood with his thought-provoking and commercial cinema, is no longer with us. He died of a heart-related disease early in the morning on Friday, April 4, 2025. To remember his fine body of work and the memorable films he gave us, we look back at the top 5 BEST MOVIES of his career.

5. Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) :

With a large assembled cast, chartbuster music, and blockbuster filmmaking centered on the current affairs of the nation, Manoj Kumar’s Roti Kapda Aur Makaan features a catchy title borrowed from a common phrase in society, which made it mass-friendly. Although a mainstream commercial entertainer with the perfect blend of romance, drama, action, and melodrama, Kumar didn’t hesitate to address social issues like women’s safety, feminism, economic crises, scams, unemployment, and the rich versus poor debates. This film proved why Manoj Kumar was not only an important actor of his time but also the most impactful filmmaker of his era. The songs in this movie are not just big hits but also very poignant.

4. Gumnaam (1965) :

An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s most challenging novel. Hollywood approached it with And Then There Were None (1945), while Gumnaam added the perfect Indian touch and transformed it into a highly commercial venture. The music, large ensemble cast, haunting theme, and innovative suspense (for that time) made it a box-office smash. Moreover, Gumnaam remains one of those 60s films that sought to bring about a new change in commercial filmmaking in Bollywood. Kumar played the leading role in this Raja Nawathe’s massy suspense saga, and those who have seen the film know why he was the LEAD actor.

3. Himalay Ki Godd Mein (1964):

The tribal issues and their superstitious mindset against medical science were somewhat challenged by this film, which I consider one of the most socially important from the 1960s decade. Kumar played a doctor who, by choice, decides to help the tribal people with his medical skills. For that, he quits his high-profile life, job, and girlfriend. This easily tops the heroic treatment while bringing social awareness about one of the most important aspects of a human’s life. Undoubtedly and unarguably, the best film ever made on doctor’s character after V. Shantaram’s Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946).

2. Woh Kaun Thi (1964) :

Raj Khosla and Manoj Kumar teamed up for an adaptation of a popular British novel to deliver one of the best horror-mystery flicks of the decade and quite possibly of all time in Bollywood history. Though Manoj Kumar was the lead actor here, the film belongs to Sadhana because the entire trick of suspense hinges on her character. Nonetheless, Kumar was top-notch as a frustrated husband and set a template for many actors in the future.

1. Upkar (1967) :

By far, my most favorite Manoj Kumar classic! Perhaps the biggest cultural and social reset in Indian cinema that actually reflected the mass revolution across the nation. Mere Desh Ki Dharti, featuring Manoj Kumar, composed by Kalyanji Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor, is not just a song; it’s a message, a social statement, and a resolution for every Indian who thought of leaving this land. Upkar will forever remain Kumar’s best film ever for revolutionizing farmers and soldiers’ pleas, just after PM Lal Bahadur Shastri’s famous motto, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. It won 7 Filmfare Awards, one National Award, and was a big hit in 1967.

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Besides these five, I have many other favorite films by Kumar, which include titles like Shaheed (1965), Patthar Ke Sanam (1967), Anita (1967), Neel Kamal (1968), Shor (1972), Sanyasi (1975), Dus Numbri (1976), and his biggest hit ever, Kranti (1981), and even Purab Aur Paschim (1970) was somewhat close, with a few flaws, of course. Thank you for the incredible treasure you left us, Kumar saab. We will cherish it forever. You were probably the best after Raj Kapoor who really thought of cinema as a medium of socialism, and not just commercial space.