Yesteryear Bollywood star Manoj Kumar, who was felicitated today at the ongoing International Film Festival Of India (IFFI) here, said he wanted to attend the event despite doctors asking him to have bed rest.
The 76-year-old 'Roti, Kapda aur Makan' star said he is suffering from slipped disc and was advised rest for a fortnight.
"I am suffering from slipped disc and doctors had asked me to take complete rest for two weeks. But I feel pain and relief are part of one's life and one should always be ready for both," Manoj said.
The veteran actor-director was honoured today for his contribution to the Indian cinema by Union Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari, director Subhash Ghai, actor Manoj Bajpayee and Prem Chopra at the inauguration of Indian Panorama section of the 44th edition of the festival.
"My heartiest thanks to Tewari sahab for giving me this recognition. I feel whenever there is any international film festival happening anywhere, that place becomes a mini universe and now India has become a mini universe with this festival," said the actor.
Manoj also suggested that the government should constitute an award which was equivalent to the Oscars. Tewari, however, said something like this should come from the industry itself.
"This kind of award should be constituted by film industry not the government. I agree with Manojji, I would also request Shankar Mohanji (IFFI director) to introduce a new section that should have political films only," Tewari said.
Manoj, who is best known for his patriotic movies like 'Upkar', 'Purab Aur Paschim', 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan' and Kranti, said the song and dance in Bollywood films helped in national integration.
"Commercial films are hard to make because these films have a wider reach. Song and dance in the films are one of the main sources of national integration in our country. They have always helped us to stay together in many crisis situation," said Manoj, whose song 'Mere Desh ki Dharti' was a major hit during the green revolution.
