Arvind Kejriwal Is 47 Years Behind Me: Manoj Kumar

New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI)

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, who played powerful roles as the quintessential common man, says the Aam Aadmi government has to fulfill its promises as the youth have a lot of expectation from them.

The 76-year-old actor says he is happy to see an awakening in people, especially the youth. "The youth today are very aware and the public anger is simmering. I believe Arvind Kejriwal and his party is the first wave of Tsunami. For now, we don't know what is behind it, whether the current is strong. He has taken a step and now he has to fulfill the promises he made. Kejriwal is like a new shirt, he is yet to go through the wash," Kumar told PTI.

Kumar says he has already portrayed the things that are happening in politics today in his films 'Yaadgaar' and 'Upkaar'. "I played the common man and his rise through politics in my film 'Yaadgar' years before Kejriwal came. He is 47 years behind me. In the film, I played a man who revolts and unmasks black marketers, bad doctors and even defeats the ex-king in elections. My character was a man working in a factory," Kumar said.

The actor, real name Harikrishna Giri Goswami, made his debut with 'Fashion' in 1957 but found success with 1962 movie 'Hariyali Aur Raasta'. In a career spanning more than four decades, Kumar starred in and directed hits like 'Upkaar', 'Purab Aur Paschim', 'Shor', '10 Numberi' and 'Kranti'. Kumar credits his stardom to people but the actor is not very happy with the films that are being made today. "The race here is which picture is selected for the Oscar though no picture has won anything there.

To make our cinema international, we first need to make national movies. I find there is no emphasis on story or emotions now. "We used to guarantee at least one week to our producer and distributor. Today, the stars are charging crores but they can't guarantee even three days or the opening day houseful even though some of them are brilliant actors."

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