The Om Shanti Om film, starring Shah Rukh Khan and directed by Farah Khan in 2007. Featured a scene that had been objected to by veteran actor Manoj Kumar. The scene showed Shah Rukh Khan’s character applying Manoj Kumar’s trademark gesture of covering the face to illegally enter a film premiere. Creating a humorous moment where security officers do not identify him. Manoj Kumar believed that this image made him the butt of jokes. And asked the producers to take out the scene. Shah Rukh Khan personally apologized. Realizing the lapse and regretting having caused pain to anyone. He said, “I was totally wrong. If he is hurt, I apologise.”
In spite of the assurances, the controversial scene made an appearance in the 2013 re-release of the film in Japan. Manoj Kumar felt betrayed and lodged a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan. And Eros International, demanding ₹100 crore as compensation for the supposed damage to his reputation. He insisted that earlier assurances to remove the scene had not been fulfilled, saying, “I had forgiven them twice but not this time. They have disrespected me.”
Later, Manoj Kumar chose to withdraw the case, saying he was disappointed that legal proceedings had not made Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan feel responsible. His attorney, Rizwan Siddique, said, “Despite all assurances and promises, Shah Rukh Khan failed to remove the objectionable scenes. They didn’t even show any remorse.”
Manoj Kumar, the iconic actor best known for playing patriotic roles in movies such as Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, died of heart-related complications at the age of 87 in Mumbai.
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