As veteran actor, director Manoj Kumar celebrates his 76th birthday today, here is a list of some of his best works in Bollywood.

Shaheed (1965)

This movie was based on the life of Indian patriot and martyr, Bhagat Singh. Under the direction of S Ram Sharma, this was the first film of Manoj Kumar's patriotic series of films. Prem Dhawan composed its music while Ram Prasad Bismil wrote the songs. Nirupa Roy, Iftekhar, Pran and Kamini Kaushal were among the other actors in the film. It won the National Award as the best feature film in Hindi that year.

Upkar (1967)

This was directed by the actor himself. It became a major success at the BO. Manoj Kumar's debut as a director established him as one of the prominent stars. It also established his love for patriotism on silver screen.

Aadmi (1968)

PS Veerappa produced it and A Bhimsingh directed it. The film had a rich cast of Waheeda Rehman, Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Pran and Simi Garewal. Naushad composed the music for the film. The film is best known for the dialogues penned by Akhtarul Iman.

Purab Aur Paschim (1970)

The movie was made to show the basic cultural difference between the East and the West. Manoj Kumar, besides being the lead actor in the film, also produced and directed it. Other actors included Ashok Kumar, Saira Banu, Prem Chopra and Pran. "Namastey London" (2007), starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, was inspired by this film.

Be-Imaan (1972)

Sohanlal Kanwar directed this film that casted Manoj Kumar, Premnath, Raakhee, Prem Chopra, Tun Tun and Pran. Shankar Jaikishan made the music, Sachin Bhowmick wrote the story, while screenplay was by Ram Kelkar.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)

Manoj Kumar produced, wrote and directed this film. He was also the lead actor in the film, which had actors like Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Prem Nath, Madan Puri and Moushumi Chatterjee. " Roti, Kapada Aur Makaan" was a major hit in 1974. This was one of the earliest films of Amitabh Bachchan, who later become the biggest movie-star of India.

Kranti (1981)

Another film directed and produced by the actor himself, "Kranti" featured Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Parveen Babi, Shatrughan Sinha, Sarika, Madan Puri, Paintal and Prem Chopra. Legendary Indian screenwriter Javed Akhtar wrote the story.

Did you know?

Manoj Kumar earned the title 'Bharat Kumar' because of his deliberate attempt to portray patriotism on screen.