In a historic moment, two iconic brands “Filmfare and Femina” known for their steadfast dedication to recognising talent and excellence honoured eminent Bhojpuri writer, poet, lyricist, and critic Mr. Manoj Bhawuk for his indelible contribution to the history of Bhojpuri cinema and literature. In a grand celebration at Ramada, Lucknow on 16 July 2023, Mr. Manoj Bhawuk was bestowed the “Filmfare and Femina Bhojpuri Icons-Reel & Real Star” honor by Ambika Muttoo, Editor-in-Chief of Femina, and Vikram Vasudev Narla, Director from South industry in presence of many celebs. This is the first time Filmfare and Femina collaborated to honor Bhojpuri Icons who have made remarkable contributions to the Bhojpuri entertainment industry.

The Safar of Manoj Bhawuk

Manoj Bhawuk left his lucrative engineering job in England and devoted his entire life to developing Bhojpuri language, literature, and cinema. Recognizing his inestimable contribution, Bhawuk was conferred with many awards and accolades from time to time including the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award (2006) for his ghazal collection entitled “Tasveer Zindagi Ke”, Pt. Pratap Narayan Mishra Samman (2006), Bhikhari Thakur Samman (2011), Rahi Masoon Raza Samman (2012), International Bhojpuri Gaurav Samman, Mauritius (2014), Parikalpana Lok Bhushan Samman in Kathmandu, Nepal (2013), Geetanjali Sahitya Award in Birmingham, United Kingdom (2018), Bihari Connect Global Samman in Dubai (2019), Kailash Gautam Kavya-Kunj Lokbhasha Samman (2022) to list few. Chalni Main Paani (A Bhojpuri Songs Collection) is another renowned contribution of Mr. Manoj to Bhojpuri poetry.

His book ‘ Bhojpuri Cinema ke Sansar’ on the history of Bhojpuri Cinema (1931-2022) is in the process of publication by Maithili Bhojpuri Academy, Delhi.The award-winning book “Cinema Bhojpuri” authored by of Mr Avijit Ghosh and published by Penguin has greatly relied and referred the writings of Mr. Bhawuk. Besides, many PHD scholars working on history of cinema has referred the writings of Manoj. That’s why Manoj Bhawuk is known as the ‘Encyclopedia of Bhojpuri cinema’.

Stint with Acting in Bhojpuri Cinema

Multi-talented Manoj also showcased his acting skills in Bhojpuri Cinema. He made his acting talent profusely felt in famous Bhojpuri films, ‘Saugandh Ganga Maiya Ke’ and ‘Rakhwala.’Manoj has intenselysteered various Bhojpuri shows related to entertainment, literature and various pressing issues.Bhawuk has been the Project Head and host of Zee TV’s reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. He is one of the lyricist of film ‘ Mehandi laga ke rakhna-3 ‘.

The Early Life of Manoj

Manoj Bhawuk“the Encyclopedia of Bhojpuri” as he is famously known comes from a very humble and rural background. He was born in Kausar, a small village in Siwan district of Bihar as second son of Shri Ram Deo Singh and Sunaina Devi. He was brought up in Renukoot, Uttar Pradesh where his father worked as a trade union leader in HINDALCO Industries.

Currently, he is the chief editor of e-magazine named Bhojpuri Junction. He is the director of Achievers Junction dedicated to the legends of the world. Manoj Bhawuk has been the President of the Delhi and England Units of Vishwa Bhojpuri Sammelan.