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Bharat’ Manoj Kumar to receive 47th Dadasaheb Phalke Award
New Delhi: Veteran film actor and director Manoj Kumar, often referred to as ‘Bharat’ Kumar for essaying patriotic roles in film after film, is to be conferred the nation’s highest honour award in cimema, the Dadasaheb Phalke award, for the year 2015. The award is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema.
The Dadasaheb Phalke award consists of a Swarn Kamal (golden lotus), a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl. The Award is given on the basis of recommendations of a committee of eminent personalities set up by the government for this purpose. This year, a five member jury comprising of singing queens Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, film script writer Salim Khan, and singers Nitin Mukesh and Anup Jalota unanimously recommended Kumar for the prestigious 47th award. Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley spoke with Manoj Kumar today and congratulated him on being conferred the Award.
Remembered for his films Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Upkaar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Gumrah andKranti among others, the 78-year old is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes.
Kumar (born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on 24 July 1937) in Abbottabad, then part of pre-Independent India, moved to Delhi when he was ten. After graduating from Hindu College in Delhi, he decided to enter the film industry. He debuted in the film Fashion in 1957 and got his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudia in 1960.
In the 1960s his successful films included a number of romantic films and social films. Kumar’s image as the patriotic hero started with the 1965 film Shaheed based on the life of Bhagat Singh. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan. The result was Kumar’s magnum opus and his directorial debut, Upkaar. In the mid-1970s Kumar starred in three hit films: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), which was a social commentary featuring an all-star cast including Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan; Dus Numbri with Hema Malini who was also his co-star in Kranti which also featured the thespian Dilip Kumar.
Manoj Kumar also has 7 Filmfare Awards in his name for his extraordinary film direction and story writing.
His film Upkaar is also remembered for the very popular song Mere Desh Ki Dharti written by Gulshan Bawra and composed by Kalyanji-Anandji. Another song rendered by Manna Dey, Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafaa Sab screened on Pran was was also a big hit .
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
