When Manoj Kumar sued Shah Rukh Khan for Rs 100 Cr over 'Om Shanti Om': "This is how they treat me"

Legendary actor Manoj Kumar passed away in Mumbai on Friday, April 4, leaving the film industry in mourning. Known for his powerful patriotic films, he also had a strong sense of dignity. This was evident in 2008 when he took offense at a scene in Om Shanti Om, accusing Shah Rukh Khan of mocking him and filing a Rs 100 crore lawsuit.

Bollywood has seen many controversies, but one of the most surprising involved veteran actor Manoj Kumar and superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The issue began in 2007 with the release of Om Shanti Om, a film directed by Farah Khan that paid tribute to Bollywood’s golden era. While the film was widely loved, one scene did not sit well with Manoj Kumar, leading to a controversy that lasted for years.

The Controversial Scene

In Om Shanti Om, a flashback scene set in the 1970s shows Shah Rukh Khan’s character trying to enter a movie premiere. The security guard stops him, and SRK’s character decides to impersonate Manoj Kumar by covering his face with his hand—a signature gesture of the veteran actor in his films. The scene plays for laughs, with the guards failing to recognize him and pushing him away. While this was meant as a lighthearted joke, Manoj Kumar found it disrespectful.

When Manoj Kumar saw the film, he was deeply offended. He felt that the scene mocked his personality and style, rather than paying tribute. He expressed his disappointment publicly, saying, “I have given 50 years to the film industry, and this is how they treat me?” He also stated that he never received any prior intimation about the scene and that it hurt his sentiments.

Legal Threat and SRK’s Apology

Feeling insulted, Manoj Kumar initially threatened to take legal action against the makers of Om Shanti Om. However, before matters could escalate further, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan personally apologized to him. Shah Rukh Khan even visited Manoj Kumar’s home to offer his apologies, and the veteran actor seemed to accept it at the time.

While the film had already been released in India, the production team decided to remove the controversial scene from the overseas version to avoid further controversy. This was seen as an attempt to make amends and respect Manoj Kumar’s sentiments.

The 2012 Controversy Rekindled

Years later, in 2012, when Om Shanti Om was set for a re-release in Japan, Manoj Kumar discovered that the scene had not been removed from the international prints as promised. Feeling betrayed, he reignited his criticism of Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, claiming that their earlier apology was insincere. He even considered legal action again but eventually decided to move on.

However, in August 2013, Kumar decided to move on. "They didn’t even show any remorse. As a result of which, my client who is a world renowned celebrity, has decided to withdraw the case because it has failed in achieving the objective of bringing some sense of responsibility to Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan," Kumar's lawyer had said.

Manoj Kumar's legacy as a cinematic icon remains immortal, reminding the industry of his unwavering principles and lasting contributions to Indian cinema.