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Last Updated: April 04, 2025, 12:51 IST
Manoj Kumar took issue with a scene from Shah Rukh Khan’s movie Om Shanti Om, leading to legal action after differing releases in India and Japan.
Renowned actor and director Manoj Kumar has passed away in the early hours of April 4. As the film industry commemorates his legacy, it is essential to reflect on a notable incident involving him and Shah Rukh Khan’s film Om Shanti Om.
Released in 2007, Om Shanti Om marked the debut of actress Deepika Padukone. However, the film also became a source of controversy for Manoj Kumar, who expressed his dissatisfaction with a specific scene in the movie directed by Farah Khan.
In a pivotal moment, the character Om, played by Shah Rukh Khan, is shown sneaking into a movie premiere using a pass that belonged to Manoj Kumar, which he found objectionable. Following Kumar’s request, the filmmakers agreed to remove this particular scene prior to its debut in India.
During media interactions, Shah Rukh Khan extended an apology to Kumar, acknowledging the incident. He stated, “I was completely wrong…If he is hurt, I apologise. I called him in the afternoon, and the first thing he said to me was ‘it is no big deal, son.’”
The actor further mentioned, “People do parody…It is a done thing. I should have been over-careful… I should have called him earlier (to tell him about the spoof),” as reported by NDTV.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the film was re-released in Japan six years later, this time retaining the contentious scene. Manoj Kumar once again voiced his objections and initiated legal proceedings against Shah Rukh Khan, citing mockery and seeking damages of Rs 100 crore.
Kumar’s legal representative emphasized, “He (Shah Rukh Khan) promised Manoj Kumar earlier but repeated this mistake again in Japan… No personal apology was given by SRK… He is not in a mood for any settlement,” referring to the ongoing discontent.
Kumar also stated, “The film was released in Japan without deleting those scenes. I had forgiven them twice but not this time. They have disrespected me. They also face contempt of court as in 2008 the court had instructed them to delete those scenes from all prints and broadcasts,” highlighting the legal implications of the situation.
After a prolonged legal struggle, Manoj Kumar eventually decided to withdraw the lawsuits against Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, marking the end of a controversial chapter in their interactions.
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