Hema Malini remembered her Kranti, Dus Nambri co-star, director and friend saying, "
Manoj Kumar was a master of getting the best songs for his films, along wíth Laxmikant - Pyarelal. With other music directors too he would do his best. We artistes loved working in his films because he picturised our songs beautifully. Be it Zindagi ki na toote ladi (Kranti) Chal sanyasi mandir mein (Sanyasi), difficult songs to shoot but each shot is forever memorable."
She adds that even while working with other directors he would plan each shot with them. "He had beautiful thoughts about India and would sit with the lyricist to write songs about the country. After he stopped directing I would keep telling him to make a comeback but he would avoid talking about it. Today I have lost a good friend."