As a 10-year-old, he witnessed the tearing apart of India. But it didn't leave him bitter. In fact, the Partition fuelled patriotism in him. Consequently, when he became an actor, Manoj Kumar broke away from romantic soirees to brandish his brand of nationalism. Shaheed his homage to martyr Bhagat Singh, Upkar his crusade against brain-drain vis a vis the rural-urban scenario, Purab Aur Paschim his extolling of the East... are all narratives of idealism. Equally discerning is the disenchantment in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, the song Mehengayi maar gayi leaving the then power centres embarrassed.