Manoj Kumar's passing: Revisiting Akshay Kumar’s iconic Namastey London monologue mentioning him

As India mourns the passing of legendary actor Manoj Kumar, who died on Friday at the age of 87, it is worth remembering Akshay Kumar’s iconic monologue from Namastey London—a scene that paid subtle tribute to the veteran star’s legacy. In the 2007 film, Akshay’s character delivers a powerful speech about India’s greatness, with Katrina Kaif translating into English. The dialogue includes a direct nod to Manoj Kumar’s patriotic films, stating, “We have many more accolades. To know more about that, I will send Manoj Kumar’s Purab Aur Paschim DVD.”

This cinematic moment reflected the lasting influence of Kumar’s storytelling, which shaped generations of actors and filmmakers. Now, as the film fraternity and fans pay tribute to the late actor, Akshay Kumar has spoken about the profound impact Manoj Kumar had on his own sense of national pride.

How did Manoj Kumar shape Akshay Kumar’s patriotism?
Akshay Kumar has credited Manoj Kumar with teaching him that "there's no emotion like love and pride for our country," a sentiment the veteran actor famously championed in his films.

Sharing his tribute on X, Akshay posted a black-and-white photo of Manoj Kumar, writing, “I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti.”

His words struck a chord with many in the industry, as tributes flooded in from actors, filmmakers, and fans alike, all acknowledging Manoj Kumar’s immense contributions.

What was Manoj Kumar’s impact on Indian cinema?
Manoj Kumar, fondly known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his patriotic roles, redefined nationalism in Indian cinema with films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Kranti. His ability to blend cinematic storytelling with patriotic themes made him a household name.

Lyricist Manoj Muntashir credited Kumar’s films for shaping his own patriotic expression, saying, “The first lesson of patriotism was taught by your films. If it weren't for you, that spark wouldn’t have existed, which led my humble pen to write Teri Mitti.”

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri hailed him as "India’s first truly original and committed Indic filmmaker," praising his ability to make patriotism “cinematic, without noise” and nationalism “poetic, without apology.”

When did Manoj Kumar pass away?
Manoj Kumar passed away on Friday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he had been admitted on February 21. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian cinema, but his influence remains deeply embedded in the industry.

With IANS inputs