Mumbai, April 4 -- The Indian film industry has lost one of its most celebrated figures, Manoj Kumar, who passed away at the age of 87.

The veteran actor and filmmaker breathed his last on April 4, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after battling a long illness.

As tributes poured in from across the industry, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar spoke on Kumar's immense contributions to Indian cinema and also shared how the actor's work resonated deeply with audiences "deeply connected to his movies and songs."

"Manoj ji has a big contribution. As an audience, many people connect to his movies and songs. People of the country and filmmakers will never forget his contribution. He was one filmmaker who used to infuse a lot of patri...