From Aamir Khan to Akshay Kumar, Bollywood condoles Manoj Kumar's demise

Prominent Indian personalities, including actors Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee and filmmaker Karan Johar, on Friday paid tributes to cinema icon Manoj Kumar, celebrating his legacy of highlighting social issues and patriotism through his films

Prominent Indian personalities, including actors Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee and filmmaker Karan Johar, on Friday paid tributes to cinema icon Manoj Kumar, celebrating his legacy of highlighting social issues and patriotism through his films.

The industry veteran, whose films ruled the box office in the late 1960s and 1970s, had been ailing for a while and died of age related issues at the Kokilaben Ambani Hospital around 3.30 am.

In a statement, Aamir condoled Kumar's death, saying the veteran actor's films were a great source of learning for him.

"Manoj Kumar was not just an actor, and film-maker, he was an institution. I have learnt so much watching his films. His films were often based on important social themes which brought him really close to the common man. My heartfelt condolences to his family," he said.

Akshay hailed Kumar as one of the biggest assets of the film fraternity.

"I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti," he posted on X.

Devgn said Kumar played an important role in his family's journey in cinema. He recalled that the cinema icon gave Devgn's late father Veeru Devgan his first break as an action director with "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan".