Apart from being one of the most brilliant actors in Hindi cinema, Manoj Kumar was also one of the most successful directors as he made critically and commercially successful films like Upkar, Purab Aur Pachhim, and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan among others. Manoj's most ambitious project was the period action drama Kranti, which became the highest-grossing Indian film in 1981.
With six superstars in its leading cast - Manoj Kumar himself, Dilip Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, and Parveen Babi, and with its setting of 19th century, Kranti was among the most expensive Indian films made at that time. Its budget was estimated to be around Rs 3 crore. As the shoot began, the producers backed out of the project and it was left upon Manoj Kumar himself to fund his passion project. He sold his bungalow in Delhi and a land in Mumbai to make the film.
But, when Kranti was finally released after being shot for 180 days, all the efforts of Kumar proved worthwhile. The period action drama went on to become a blockbuster and ran for over 400 days in theatres. It completed silver jubilee in record 26 centres and golden jubilee in many others. The Manoj Kumar directorial earned Rs 20 crore gross worldwide, surpassing Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra-starrer Sholay. Sholay had earned Rs 15 crore gross globally upon its release in 1975, but when the Ramesh Sippy directorial had multiple re-releases over the years, it eventually went past Kranti.
Apart from Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, and Parveen Babi, the period action drama also starred Nirupa Roy, Pradeep Kumar, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri, Shashikala, Sarika, P. Jairaj, Tom Alter, Sulochana Latkar, and Manoj's son Kunal Goswami in pivotal roles.
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