Manoj Kumar's discontent over 'Om Shanti Om' sparks resurfacing controversy

In 2007, the release of Farah Khan’s "Om Shanti Om," featuring Shah Rukh Khan and marking Deepika Padukone's debut, became a subject of outcry due to a parody scene featuring Bollywood veteran, Manoj Kumar.

The scene depicted Khan's character, Om Prakash Makhija, sneaking into a movie premiere using a pass intended for Kumar, with a humorous nod to Kumar's iconic face-palm gesture that goes unrecognized by security.

The scene, meant as satire, struck a nerve with Kumar, prompting him to request its removal from the film. Shah Rukh Khan swiftly provided an apology, acknowledging the oversight and expressing regret for unintentionally offending the legendary actor.

"I was completely wrong… If he is hurt, I apologise," Khan told reporters, emphasizing the need for sensitivity, even when humor is intended.

Kumar's legal representative, Mukesh Vashi, indicated that while Kumar considered legal action in 2007, his deeper concern was the moral impact of the depiction, which hurt the image Kumar had cultivated as a revered figure in Indian cinema.

In 2013, however, the controversy reignited when "Om Shanti Om" was released in Japan with the contentious scene intact, contradicting earlier promises by the film's team to permanently excise the scene.

This led Kumar to pursue legal action, seeking substantial damages for the oversight.

The lawsuit highlighted a breach of commitment, with Kumar’s lawyer remarking on the lack of personal apology from Khan for the film’s overseas release.

Kumar expressed his disappointment publicly, citing the re-inclusion of the scene as a disrespectful act that contravened a 2008 court directive mandating its removal from all future distributions.

Ultimately, Manoj Kumar chose to withdraw the legal proceedings, disheartened by the lack of responsibility he perceived in the film’s creators despite the prolonged legal discourse. 

Sadly, Kumar, celebrated for his prolific roles in patriotic films like "Purab Aur Paschim" and "Kranti," passed away at the age of 87.

He died at Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, succumbing to heart-related complications, with decompensated liver cirrhosis cited as a secondary cause of death. His contributions to Indian cinema remain cherished amidst the backdrop of a long career occasionally marred by controversies such as this.