Remembering Manoj Kumar, his ‘Himalay Ki God Mein’ co-star Mala Sinha says the actor was “sweet, dedicated and very involved..” – Exclusive |

Yesteryears’ boxoffice queen Mala Sinha who nowlives in her home country Nepal is completely cut off from the Hindi film industry. However, the news of Manoj Kumar’s demise reached her as well. Like several of Manoj Kumar’s other co-stars, she too was in a state of shock and grief. While speaking to us, she recalled Manoj Kumar as one of her most favourite co-actors.
When Mala Sinha and Manoj Kumar starred together, the actress already had some experience under her belt, while he was only starting his career. “I did one of my very early films, ‘Fashion’ with him. The year, I think, was 1957. It was my eighth or ninth film. ‘Fashion’ was Manoj Kumar’s first film. He was raw, new, and eager to learn,” said Mala.
Subsequently, she did two of her biggest hits with Manoj Kumar. “‘Hariyali Aur Raasta’ and ‘Himalay Ki Gode Mein’ came within three years of one another. They were both very big successes,” she recalled.
“Producers were clamouring to cast us together. But we were busy with other projects. I would have loved to do more with him. I think we did one more film together in the 1960s ‘Apne Huey Paraye.’ All three films had superhit music. I think Mukeshji sang the maximum number of songs for Manoj Kumar, and those songs are remembered to this day,” added the veteran star.
Mala Sinha remembered Manoj Kumar as a gentleman. “Sweet, dedicated and very involved with the entire process of filmmaking, and not just the acting. He was a complete cinema personality. There was not one department of filmmaking that he didn’t know about,” quoted the actress.