August 14: Come August 15 and you can't help remember Bharat. But in the film world, Bharat is not so much India but actor Manoj Kumar. A belief that he likes to propogate. Manoj Kumar genuinely sees no difference between him and the nation. For several reasons. One, he was actually there when the tricolour was first hoisted in independent India's skies on August 15, 1947.

For another, the only films he has made revolve around the theme of patriotism, nationalism and India. The maker of films like Shaheed, Upkaar and Poorab aur Paschim behind him, wears his title of `Bharat' with pride.

"After I made Shaheed I was called by the prime minister along with my whole unit. It was the most emotional moment of my life, I will never forget the way he asked me if I could make a film on the theme of `Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. On the train journey back Upkaar was born. After it's release, an old man and his grandson came to meet me. I thought they wanted some money or work, but the old man just touched my feet and without saying a word started off. I asked him why he had done that, he just said that Upkaar had changed his life. After seeing the film, he turned over Rs 80 lakh worth of grains and vowed to lead an honest life. If I made an honest person of even one man, I'm happy," he says.

Born in Pakistan on July 24, 1937, Hari Krishan Goswami (his actual name) has vivid memories of the poignant days of freedom, post Partition. "We were refuges from Pakistan, and my uncle had been killed in the riots just the day before. I have never seen my father cry except for that one time, my whole family was grief-stricken. The next day I accompanied my father to the Red Fort, I saw him chanting `Jai Hind' and I saw his eyes glisten this time with pride. That day, I was very confused. I couldn't understand why my chest was ready to burst at the sight of the tiranga flowing free. I couldn't understand why my blood raced at the deafening sound of `Jai Hind'. Now I do. No loss is greater than the loss of your motherland, and ours was finally free,"he says.

And Hari Krishan urf Manoj Kumar urf Ghullu takes his preaching to heart. His love for dharti mata and son of soil image insists that he do his own kheti-baadi. "I'm a self-supporter," says Gullu, matter-of-factly, "I eat only that which is grown on my farm in Nasik Road near Delhi." From a film extra in Fashion to a super star, Manoj Kumar still has more to say about patriotism and India and ... "The difference in India in 1947 and India in 1997 is the same as the difference between Jawaharlal Nehru and I K Gujral. India needs to recognise her ability, so that 50 years from now, she'll be the diamond of the world."

He speaks with the firm conviction that he is the first among patriots. And a lot of his fans seem to agree. Says Manoj Kumar, "I get `Happy Birthday' telegrams on August 15 and January 26 every year from all over India." Mr Bharat remains Mr India.