Bollywood Icon Manoj Kumar’s Roots Trace Back to Abbottabad

APP

Abbottabad: Legendary Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar, born in the Nooruddin neighborhood of Abbottabad, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai, India.

Born in 1937 in Abbottabad, which was then part of the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Manoj Kumar spent his early childhood in the streets of the Tanchi Chowk’s Nooruddin locality. Despite leaving the city at a young age, the connection to his birthplace remained a cherished part of his identity throughout his life.

In numerous interviews, the actor fondly reminisced about his early years in Abbottabad, often highlighting the warmth of the local community, the simplicity of life, and how these early experiences shaped his values. Manoj Kumar also spoke about his parents’ migration from Abbottabad to Punjab and, eventually, their settlement in India after the Partition in 1947.

Even after achieving immense stardom in Bollywood, Manoj Kumar never forgot Abbottabad. His emotional bond with the city was evident, with the actor often recalling his birthplace during media interactions.

His 1980s visit to Abbottabad, accompanied by Pakistani cinema legends Mohammad Ali and Zeba Begum, further underscored his deep connection to the place. During the visit, he not only revisited his ancestral home but also emotionally reconnected with the room where he was born, taking photographs and interacting with locals who still remembered his family.

Advocate Moeen Qureshi, a former neighbor of the actor, recalled the memorable visit nearly four decades ago. He shared how the entire city turned out to see the Bollywood icon. “I was young at the time, but I remember being there with him,” he said, adding that Manoj Kumar had visited the room where he was born, capturing photographs and reflecting on his roots.

The news of his death has deeply saddened the residents of Abbottabad, who remember Manoj Kumar not just as a Bollywood star, but as a part of their community. Munir Qureshi, another former neighbor, expressed that the entire city shares in the sorrow of his passing. “Manoj Kumar was one of our own, and his loss is felt by all of us,” he said.

Mazhar Hussain, a current resident of Abbottabad, shared that he had lived in the actor’s ancestral home for over ten years. “The house remained unchanged from the time his family left until it was eventually demolished and replaced with a new structure,” he added.

Manoj Kumar’s rise to fame began in 1957, and he soon became one of Bollywood’s most iconic figures. His passing has left a void not only among his fans in India but also in his hometown of Abbottabad, where residents continue to remember him with pride and affection.