The feel of patriotism might be the common factor in my onscreen

The legendary actor and filmmaker of India, Manoj Kumar, who came to be known as Bharat Kumar for his iconic portrayals of the nation’s spirit, once reflected upon his craft and said: “The feel of patriotism might be the common factor in my onscreen avatars, yet they were all very different from each other. All the characters had different circumstances and faced different challenges, just like two different individuals.” These words reveal not only the philosophy of an artist, but the wisdom of a patriot who understood that love for one’s country is not a single story, but a thousand stories woven together, each shaped by unique trials, sacrifices, and victories.

The origin of this truth lies in Manoj Kumar’s career in Indian cinema, where he became a symbol of patriotism through films such as Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Kranti. His characters carried the flag of national pride, yet they were never replicas of each other. One might be a farmer defending the dignity of the land, another a soldier fighting against foreign oppression, another an ordinary citizen struggling to preserve cultural values. Through each portrayal, he showed that patriotism is not bound to one role, but arises in many forms, according to circumstance and need.

The ancients, too, recognized this diversity of devotion. In Greece, Leonidas at Thermopylae expressed patriotism through defiance in war, while Solon expressed it through wise laws that gave Athens stability. In India, Mahatma Gandhi expressed patriotism through nonviolent resistance, while Subhas Chandra Bose expressed it through armed struggle. Each path was different, yet the spirit that animated them was one. Thus Manoj Kumar’s insight stands in harmony with the voices of history: patriotism is a common flame, burning differently in each vessel it inhabits.

History provides luminous examples of this principle. Consider the American struggle for independence. George Washington bore the sword, commanding armies against tyranny, while Benjamin Franklin wielded the pen and the art of diplomacy, shaping alliances abroad. Both men faced different challenges, walked different paths, and carried different burdens. Yet the spirit that drove them was the same: the love of liberty, the desire to see their nation free. This is the very truth Manoj Kumar expressed—that though the form differs, the essence remains.

The meaning of his words is both artistic and universal. As an actor, he showed that even when one theme recurs, each life lived within it is distinct. As a patriot, he reminded us that every citizen expresses love of country differently. Some serve through arms, others through art, others through teaching, farming, healing, or guiding. The circumstances shape the expression, but the root is the same. The richness of patriotism is not in uniformity, but in diversity—the many ways in which love for the motherland takes flesh.

Therefore, the lesson is clear: do not despise the difference of another’s path, for their struggle may be unlike yours, yet it springs from the same devotion. Recognize that your love of country will be tested in your own unique way. For one, it may be honesty in a corrupt age; for another, courage in war; for yet another, sacrifice in service to the poor. What matters is not that all challenges look the same, but that all are borne with the heart of a patriot.

In practice, I counsel this: reflect upon your own circumstances and ask, “What challenge is placed before me that calls for patriotism?” Do not wait for the grand stage of war or politics. Serve faithfully in the place where you are. If you are a teacher, let your patriotism be the shaping of young minds. If you are an artist, let it be the preservation of culture. If you are a laborer, let it be the dignity of your work. Patriotism is not one role, but many—and each is vital to the whole.

Thus, remember the wisdom of Manoj Kumar: “The feel of patriotism might be the common factor… yet they were all very different.” Let his words remind you that though our challenges differ, our devotion unites us. Embrace the uniqueness of your path, but let your heart burn with the same flame as those before you: the flame of love, sacrifice, and service to the land that gave you life.