Genius Manoj Kumar was a jewel of a director-actor and gem of a human being-- can never forget he cast me in his 'Upkar' and 'Roti Kapda aur Makaan'," recalls Aruna Irani ! by Chaitanya Padukone

Today (July 24) is legendary multi-talented 'late' Padma Shri Manoj Kumar's birth anniversary.. Millions of his loyal ardent fans both in India as well as NRIs in foreign countries will celebrate today and this week by watching his memorable movies and evergreen songs.

Actually, prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient---'Mahaan' Manoj Kumar's real name was Harikrishan Giri Goswami. 

On his 88th birth anniversary, I spoke to veteran yet young-at-heart  Aruna Irani, who worked with the National Film Award-winning 'late' Manoj Kumar in many films, including Upkar (1967), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), and Patthar Ke Sanam (1967). among other movies.

With emotions punctuating her voice, Aruna-jee recalled," 'Late' genius Manoj Kumar-jee was a jewel of a director-actor and a gem-gentleman of a human being-- I can never forget he cast me in his 'Upkar', which was one of my initial career films, and then 'Roti Kapda aur Makaan', in which I also got to sing and dance in that song 'Pandit-jee Mere Marne Ke Baad'.

Then there was also 'Patthar Ke Sanam, where I was his co-star. There was so much I learnt from him; he was my acting Guru. Besides being a great actor, writer-director, editor, and producer, he had a great musical sense and a genius master of excellent 'song-picturisations'. In fact, Manoj-jee was among the first innovative directors in Bollywood who started using the 'round-trolley-camera-shots' for special scenes and songs. His wife, Shashi-jee, was also a wonderful, dignified person, and we always received special care and concern during the shooting of his movies. I was part of almost all his films. Whenever Manoj-jee needed a good actress for an intense-emotional character or maybe with vampish-shades role or a graceful, agile dancer, I would be his preferred first choice. When we enjoy working with some director-actor, we always remember them, not just for their creative work, but also for the quality time spent together as a family-unit-team”, asserted (75 plus years) enthusiastic spiritual-minded Aruna-jee, who will playing a cameo guest role in Sajid Nadiadwala's upcoming crime-thriller movie Arjun Ustara, directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, and also in an upcoming cricket-centric Gujarati regional film.

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