Manoj Kumar filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan and sought Rs 100 cr after forgiving him twice!

Legendary actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar, known affectionately as 'Bharat Kumar', was synonymous with patriotic cinema. Apart from his socially relevant and patriotic films and songs, the legendary actor's famous hand-over-face gesture was distinctive and is still cherished by moviegoers. Well, this distinctive style of Bharat Kumar was the cause of a major legal battle. Notably, Manoj Kumar filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan and sought Rs 100 cr after forgiving him twice.

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ManojKumarWasDeeplyHurtForShahRukhKhan

Shah Rukh Khan's 2007 movie Om Shanti Om, helmed by Farah Khan, was an instant hit. The film incorporates numerous references to classic Bollywood films and iconic actors. Moviegoers indeed loved the cameos of numerous celebrities in the film. However, a scene in the film deeply hurt veteran actor Manoj Kumar. The scene led to an unexpected chain of events.

The controversial scene in discussion was Shah Rukh Khan's character Om Prakash Makhija entering a movie premiere by stealing an invitation pass from a veteran actor, which was perceived as a parody of Manoj Kumar. Even the scene featured the veteran actor getting attacked by the security guards. The subtle but noticeable mimicry offended Manoj Kumar. He was deeply hurt by the scene as it appeared to mock his signature pose.

Manoj Kumar asked Farah Khan and the producers of the film to remove the scene from the final cut. Even, initially, the makers agreed to comply with his request and the controversial scene was edited out.

Moreover, SRK publicly apologised to the veteran actor for unintentionally offending him. While speaking to reporters, the Pathaan actor said, "I was completely wrong...If he is hurt, I apologise. I called him in the afternoon, and the first thing he said to me was 'It is no big deal, son.'"

However, he also said, "People do parody...It is a done thing. I should have been over-careful... I should have called him earlier (to tell him about the spoof)."

SRK'Failed'toKeepPromiseMadetoManojKumar!

However, the matter didn't end there. When Om Shanti Om was re-released in Japan in 2013, the same scene was included which reignited the conflict.

The veteran actor sought legal recourse and filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros International.

The veteran actor's lawyer stated, "He (Shah Rukh Khan) promised Manoj Kumar earlier but repeated this mistake again in Japan... No personal apology was given by SRK... He is not in a mood for any settlement."

Also Read: Manoj Kumar's original name was Harikrishan Giri Goswami; know 7 lesser-known facts

'Ihadforgiventhemtwicebut...'

Reacting to the controversy, Manoj Kumar said, "The film was released in Japan without deleting those scenes. I had forgiven them twice but not this time. They have disrespected me."

Expressing his frustration, the veteran actor said that the release violated a 2008 court order that instructed the removal of the objectionable scene from all future prints of the film. He sought Rs 100 crore compensation.

However, later Manoj Kumar withdrew his legal action concluding that the legal process had failed to instill any sense of responsibility in Shah Rukh Khan or Farah Khan. Well, the matter was settled outside of the court.

ManojKumar'sLegacyLivesOn

Undeniably, Manoj Kumar has left behind a remarkable legacy throughout his career spanning over four decades. Manoj Kumar dominated the box office in the late 1960s and 1970s and shaped the Hindi film industry with his socially relevant and nationalistic flicks. He is known for iconic films like Shaheed, Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti, Kapda Aur Makan, Kranti and many more. His films not only entertained but also instilled a sense of national pride and social awareness among the audience.

The veteran actor breathed his last on Friday leaving behind a legacy of patriotic films that inspired generations of India. His demise has created a void in Indian cinema. He passed away due to age-related issues at the age of 87.