Manoj Kumar’s real name was Harikishan Giri Goswami. There is a reason why he chose, “Manoj Kumar”, as his screen-name.
Manoj Kumar was around eleven years old when he decided that if he becomes an actor he would change his name.
Manoj Kumar was about eleven years old when he watched Shabnam (1949). The film starred the legendary Dilip Kumar whose screen name was Manoj in the film.
The performance left such an profound impact on him that he decided that if he becomes an actor he would change his name to Manoj Kumar.
His admiration for Dilip Kumar came a full circle years later when he got an opportunity to direct and act alongside him in Kranti.
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