Veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar died on Wednesday in Hinduja hospital in Mumbai. He was 98. He leaves behind a legacy of films that spanned six decades and gave Hindi cinema some of its most enduring classics.
Born on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) as Mohammad Yousuf Khan, he began his film career in 1944 with Jawar Bhata.
Popularly known as the ‘tragedy king of Bollywood’, Dilip Kumar is survived by his wife and fellow actor Saira Banu. Dilip Kumar married actress Saira Banu In 1966. The couple has no children.
Dilip Kumar received the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Dada Saheb Phalke award. He also received Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
A tweet posted from the actor’s official handle by family friend Faisal Farooqui read: “With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip saab a few minutes ago. We are from God and to him we return.”
Two days ago, Saira Banu shared this message on Dilip Kumar’s Twitter: “We are grateful for God’s infinite mercy on Dilip Saab that his health is improving. We are still in hospital and request your prayers and duas so that Insh’Allah he is healthy and discharged soon.”
He was admitted to the hospital last week after he complained of breathlessness. He had been frequently ill for months.
Fans across the border in Pakistan also fondly remembered the actor with many paying tribute to his acting abilities.
The actor will be laid to rest with full state honours, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced.
Dilip Kumar’s funeral will take place later in the day, it was announced via his official Twitter account. “Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai,” the tweet read. Shabana Azmi was photographed visiting his house in Mumbai, shortly after news of his death emerged.
Condolences and tributes continue to pour in for Dilip Kumar
Thousands of fans of the Bollywood legend were grieved to hear of his passing. Social media tributes for the actor poured in from both sides of the border after it emerged he had passed away.
Tributes to the late icon flooded social media; India’s President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent. With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. Condolences to family and countless fans.”
Sad at Kumar’s passing, Pakistan’s President Alvi said he was “an outstanding actor, a humble man, and a dignified personality”.
The president extended condolences to the family and fans of Dilip Kumar.
“Condolences to the immediate family and his huge family of admirers. May his soul rest in peace,” he wrote.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Dilip Kumar ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote- “Saddened to learn of Dilip Kumar’s passing. I can never forget his generosity in giving his time to help raise funds for SKMTH when project launched. This is the most difficult time – to raise first 10% of the funds & his appearance in Pak & London helped raise huge amounts”.
Apart from this, for my generation, Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor.
Dilip Kumar, real name Yusuf Khan, appeared in some of Indian cinema’s most iconic and landmark films including Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Ram Aur Shyam, Andaz, Madhumati and Ganga Jamuna.
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