00:00It's a sad day for the industry because Manoj Kumar passed away today morning.
00:03What are your early memories of the actor?
00:06I think I know Manoj ji from last 20-23 years.
00:10In 2002, I started meeting him.
00:14Obviously, as a kid, we've always been inspired by Manoj Kumar's cinema.
00:19Purab Pachhim, Ukkaar, Roti Kabra Makaam, Shor,
00:24Kranti, all these movies, he was always inspiring and always...
00:27I remember watching his movie so many times in Rishu also, in theatres.
00:32So, when I met him in 2002, post Chandni Bagh,
00:35and he had seen the movie and he was so happy,
00:39that Madhav is the kind of cinema you make.
00:41And then we started meeting each other,
00:43always in some event, functions, or some murat, or some trial show.
00:48And always inspirational, always encouraging.
00:53I used to see all my movies and he used to tell me,
00:55yeh aisa laga, yeh aisa laga.
00:57So, it was great interacting with him.
00:59And then, I love people who have contributed so much for the film industry.
01:04And I've been a big Manoj Kumar fan.
01:06As a filmmaker, I used to always adore him,
01:09the kind of song-picture edition he used to do.
01:11I think, very ahead of time.
01:12I think, till today, I remember that Pyar Ka Nagma, that song of Shor.
01:18I think, he was probably the first person to get slow motion in Indian cinema.
01:23Slow motion song, where Nandaji is running on the beach,
01:26and Satyajit, the small actor, and Manojji playing Boylan.
01:30I think, and probably the first movie I've seen,
01:33where slow motion was introduced on Indian screen.
01:35So, I think, it was very ahead of time, the song-picture edition.
01:38So, always used to see, till today, I'm being very honest with you,
01:42in YouTube of my iPad, I have all Manoj Kumar songs.
01:46So, when I'm sitting in flight, or I'm traveling,
01:48I keep watching his songs, I love the song, this song-picture edition.
01:52I think, screenplay-wise also, I think, Purab Pachin, one movie,
01:56which showed about how Indian culture is so enriched, and so strong.
02:00And I remember, I read an article about it,
02:02that people went to Purab Pachin, they changed their mind,
02:06and they came back to India.
02:08Oh.
02:09So, that was how it resonated with the world.
02:11That is why he's known as Bharat Kumar.
02:13Bharat Kumar, all his movies.
02:15So, I think, his contribution will be always remembered.
02:18People will remember Manoj Kumar, the kind of movies he used to make.
02:21In fact, yesterday night, evening, I would say,
02:24I was sitting with my assistant, who was very genzy of today's.
02:27So, I was sitting, and we were discussing a film, which I'm making.
02:31So, I was just telling them, because in my office, there's two posters.
02:34I think, they're best screenplay.
02:36One is Amar Akbar Anthony, one is Manmohan Desai, and one is Koti Kabra Maka.
02:39And all these people said, what's your role in this?
02:41I said, it's an inspirational film.
02:44So, I was telling my assistant director, I said, please watch this movie.
02:48You learn a lot.
02:50I said, you learn a lot.
02:51The unfolding was so beautiful of Koti Kabra Maka.
02:53Really loved it.
02:54I think, it's really sad today, that Manoj Kumar is no more.
02:58I remember talking to him from one year back.
03:02And on the phone also, he was not well.
03:06And always, I used to talk to him on the phone.
03:08I wish him on Diwali, Holi, Independence Day or something.
03:11You know, always, those are the things.
03:13And when he was free, he used to talk also.
03:15I think, his contribution will be always remembered.
03:18And we'll miss Manoj ji.
03:21How are his families right now?
03:22You just met.
03:22You're the first one to come and meet the family.
03:24Because again, you have a relationship with them.
03:26Yeah, because for so many years, I'm meeting him.
03:28And I was very sad in the morning.
03:31But I met Kunal.
03:33And he said, mother, we should celebrate your kind of contribution.
03:40So, tomorrow you will be here for the funeral?
03:42I think, I'll be going out of town.
03:46Okay.
03:47That is why you came today?
03:48Yeah.
03:48One last word for Manoj sir.
03:57That's all.
03:58All right.
03:58Thank you so much.
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