Meet Manoj Kumar’s onscreen co-stars Saira Hema Sadhana Zeenat Asha
Meet Manoj Kumar’s onscreen co-stars
Saira Hema Sadhana Zeenat Asha
Following his demise Manoj Kumar leaves behind a rich legacy of unforgettable portrayals and milestone films that continue to influence Hindi cinema.
As the film industry and fans mourn his loss, here’s a look at some of his most unforgettable on-screen pairings with leading heroines.
*Manoj Kumar and Waheeda Rehman’s chemistry certainly left a mark. The two first came together for the 1967 released romantic film Patthar Ke Sanam.
The film also featured Pran and Mumtaz. They later starred together in the 1968 film Neel Kamal, a paranormal thriller. Their performances in the hit film, as Ram and Sita, won over critics and fans alike. They elevated each other’s performances in an ensemble alongside Dilip Kumar, Simi Garewal and Pran in the 1968 hit Aadmi
*Manoj Kumar and Saira Banu featured in three films together and their pairing remains quintessential.They first paired for the 1967 film Shaadi. As Raja and Gauri, they showcased their easy chemistry. Saira and Manoj then featured in the 1970 film Purab Aur Pachhim. Saira Banu has shared several anecdotes about the film’s making, revealing that Manoj Kumar showed his support when she fell sick while shooting. He refused to replace her as his heroine. In an exclusive interview Manoj Kumar recalled taking Dilip Kumar’s permission to share screen space with Saira Banu. “One day, on meeting Dilip saab he said, he needs hisbpermission. Can Sairaji act in his film?’” He patted his cheek, looked straight in his eyes and said, “You are the first person who’s asking him” This remains an emotional moment amid us.”
*Manoj and Sadhana didn’t just come together for a hit film, but also for one of the most popular songs in Hindi cinema. They featured in the romantic thriller film Woh Kaun Thi? and the track Lag Jaa Gale was picturised on the pair. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable. They reunited for Anita . Manoj famously recalled meeting Sadhana on a local train journey. She was sitting near a window with wind blowing her hair across her face. He thought she should be in films. Later, she became a craze and reached the highest pedestal,” the late actor had shared.
Manoj Kumar and Asha Parekh were a famous on-screen pair..They worked together in romantic and emotional films, including the Do Badan and the film Sajan. They also came together for Upkar which marked Manoj Kumar’s directorial debut. The patriotic film is considered one of the actor’s finest works. Manoj Kumar had heaped praise on Parekh. Calling her a “huge star,” he fondly recalled, “Asha had supported him in his early days, and so he offered her Upkar. She had very sharp eyebrows, which you won’t find in Upkar. I was a hard taskmaster and made her stay away from shaping them in that manner. As a person, it’s difficult to define Asha. She was always independent. Even at that age, it was she who looked after her parents. The way she has served them, hats off to her!”
*Manoj Kumar and Hema Malini made a hit onscreen pair. They featured in 6 films together, including Sanyasi Santosh (1989), Dus Numbri and Kranti which Manoj Kumar also directed.
Manoj Kumar also shared that Hema Malini was the closest to his family. “She’d send us idlis and dosas. They would send across kaali dal. Once amidst Kranti, he told her that he wanted to shoot her at the helipad at 5.10 am as he wanted to capture her in a ‘sunrise’ mood, which marked the change in her character. He zoomed at the sun, she looked at it…shot over. She was very happy with the shot and sent across some idlis.
*Manoj Kumar and Zeenat Aman played the lead roles, Bharat and Sheetal, in the hit film Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, which Manoj also directed. The film went on to become a huge hit, the highest-grossing title of the year. It revolves around a man who is tasked with looking after his family after his father’s demise. Manoj Kumar and Zeenat gave a memorable performance together. Their song together, Main Na Bhoolunga was also a hit.
News Edit KV Raman
