New Delhi: Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, the superstar of the 60s and 70s who passed away on Friday following health-related issues, had filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan for making fun of him in their film ‘Om Shanti Om.’
The veteran actor was upset with a scene in which Shah Rukh’s character Om imitates him with his iconic palm-across-face gesture to sneak into the premiere of Shanti Priya’s film (played by Deepika Padukone).
Later, when the real Manoj Kumar turns up for the premiere, he is shooed away by guards.
The veteran actor had requested the filmmakers to remove that particular scene.
Manoj filed a suit in the civil court, which ordered the makers to remove the scene before the screening of the film.
Even Shah Rukh had personally apologised to Manoj Kumar.
However, the matter didn’t end here. Six years later, the deleted scene resurfaced in a print of the film when it was released in Japan.
Eventually, the veteran actor filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh and the production banner Eros International in April 2013.
“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 asked them to forever and from all prints and broadcast material, delete those scenes,” the veteran had told PTI.
“I don’t have any personal clash with Shah Rukh Khan. He is a nice person, but when it comes to my self-respect, then I can’t compromise on it,” he added.
Commenting on the matter, SRK had said, “I don’t know much about it… Very honestly I had personally apologised to him then. My respect goes to all actors who are older and younger to me. Distributors have made a genuine mistake… old print was sent. He has done a legal thing. He is welcome to do that. I don’t take it personally.”
The veteran later withdrew the case against SRK.
