Manoj Kumar Broke No-Intimacy Rule For A Kiss With Simi Garewal On Screen: 'Couldn't Say No...'

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Yesteryear superstar Manoj Kumar, fondly known as Bharat Kumar, had a strict no-intimacy policy in films.
In an era where romantic scenes were often the norm in Bollywood films, yesteryear superstar Manoj Kumar, fondly known as Bharat Kumar, stood out — not just for his patriotic roles, but also for his personal principles. One of the most intriguing of them? A strict no-intimacy policy in films.
Yes, you read that right! Manoj Kumar simply didn't do physical romance on screen. No touching, no hugs, certainly no kisses. This wasn't about shyness — it was about his values and the image he carefully built as the upright, idealistic Indian hero.
Actress Hema Malini, who worked with him in several films like Sanyasi, Dus Numbri, and Kranti, once shared a sweet anecdote that says it all. She said, 'He would never touch the heroine in the romantic scenes. Very sweet and lovely person, very nice and inspiring."
But here's the interesting bit — there was one moment when he bent his own rule. And the reason? None other than Raj Kapoor. In Mera Naam Joker, Manoj Kumar shared a brief kissing scene with actress Simi Garewal — a first and only for the actor. It shocked many at the time, but Manoj Kumar later explained his rare exception with complete honesty:
He had deep respect for Raj Kapoor and couldn't say no to him. That was it — one kiss in a lifetime of films. In fact, he even turned down a romantic scene with Zeenat Aman in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, reportedly because he felt it didn't align with the image of Bharat Kumar and would disappoint his loyal fans.
In a chat with Subhash K Jha, he had said, 'In Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, the girl (Zeenat Aman) is dancing in the rain and asking me to join her. How can I get wet when I am carrying my college degrees on the way to a job interview? I broke my no-intimacy rule only once, and that too for Raj Kapoor. I had a kiss with Simi Garewal in Mera Naam Joker. I couldn't say no to Rajsaab."
Manoj Kumar Death
Manoj Kumar passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87. He breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai due to heart-related complications and decompensated liver cirrhosis.
In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Kumar was given a state funeral at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on April 5. His mortal remains were draped in the national flag, and a police unit gave a three-volley gun salute. Celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Salim Khan, and others, attended the funeral to pay their respects.
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