Sunny Deol Recalls Father's Enduring Friendship with Manoj Kumar
The golden era of Bollywood wasn't just about cinematic brilliance and box office numbers—it was built on foundations of genuine friendships that weathered storms and stood strong through decades. One such legendary bond existed between veteran stars Dharmendra and the late Manoj Kumar, a relationship that Sunny Deol recently brought to light with heartfelt revelations.
Emotional Revelations at 'Jaat' Trailer Launch
Earlier this year, during the trailer launch of his film 'Jaat', Sunny Deol took audiences on an emotional journey back in time. The actor shared intimate details about the special connection between his father Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar that began during their early struggling days in the film industry.
Sunny described Manoj Kumar as a father figure who was always present during his childhood. "Manojji came with our dad only. They both were together in the industry from the beginning," the 'Damini' actor recalled during the event, as quoted by NDTV.
He particularly emphasized Manoj Kumar's contribution to Indian cinema, noting that the tradition of patriotic films essentially began with his work. "The films that he did were about India, they were lovely. The tradition of patriotism started with that," Sunny expressed with evident respect.
Struggling Days and Shared Shirts
The most touching part of Sunny's revelation came when he shared a story from Dharmendra's early struggling days. "Before coming here, dad was telling me that when he was with Manojji in the early days, obviously they were struggling and he didn't have any money," Sunny recounted.
He painted a vivid picture of their camaraderie: "Manojji used to have money sometimes and whenever he went to buy clothes, he used to tell my dad, 'Come on Dharam, you also take two shirts.'"
This simple gesture of sharing during financially challenging times formed the foundation of a bond that would last lifetimes. Sunny nostalgically added, "Such a beautiful bond they had from that time onwards. And I think that time was great—that era won't come back."
Legacy of Bharat Kumar
Manoj Kumar, affectionately known as Bharat Kumar for his unwavering patriotism, passed away at age 87 on April 4, 2025. His name became synonymous with deshbhakti (patriotism) in Indian cinema through powerful films that celebrated the nation's spirit.
Sunny Deol's memories served as both a celebration of his father's friendship and a touching tribute to the late actor's legacy. The stories highlighted how relationships in that era were built on trust, love, and mutual support rather than mere professional networking.
Meanwhile, Dharmendra continues to act at 89, recently appearing in the 2024 film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. The evergreen star is next set to appear in 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan, which is scheduled for release on December 25, 2025.
These revelations remind us that behind the glamour of Bollywood lies human stories of friendship, struggle, and bonds that define not just careers but lifetimes.
