Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, one of the Hindi cinema’s most iconic actors has passed away today after battling a prolonged illness.
This morning, the internet woke up to the unfortunate demise news of legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar, who was admitted to a hospital due to age-related health issues since 30th June.
Dilip Kumar died at the age of 98 and left his fans from India and Pakistan mourning his death. He is survived by his wife, actor Saira Banu.
Born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan, the legendary actor gave Hindi cinema some of its most enduring classics. He became the ‘Tragedy King’ of Bollywood, but which movie made Kumar the only tragedy king, and the first Khan of Bollywood?
Who is Dilip Kumar?
Dilip Kumar was born Yousuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan on 11th December 1922. He was the fourth of 12 children to his parents. His father was a fruit merchant, his family to Mumbai in west India.
Kumar’s first film was Jwar Bhata in 1944, which went unnoticed. However, after a few more unsuccessful movies, it was Jugnu in 1947, in which he starred alongside Pakistani legend Noor Jehan, that became his first major hit at the box office.
Why Dilip Kumar is truly a method actor?
Dilip Kumar shaped Indian cinema, he was one true method actor. His preparation for roles became the stuff of legends. For his death scene in the 1961 megahit movie ‘Gunga Jumna,’ he ran around the studio so that he could enter the set at a point of exhaustion.
He learned to play the sitar for a song sequence in the 1960 movie Kohinoor’, and for emotional sequences in the 1982 movie ‘Shakti’ and ‘Mashaal’, he drew from memories of when his brother died, recalling the pain that registered on his father’s face.
Which movies made Dilip Kumar famous?
Some of his best-known movies include Aan, Daag, Devdas, Madhumati, Azaad, Mughal-e-Azam, Gunga Jamuna, Kranti, Karma, Ram Aur Shyam, among others. However, Dilip Kumar got his breakthrough role in 1949 in the movie ‘Andaz’, in which he starred alongside Raj Kapoor and Nargis.
Devdas
His movie ‘Devdas’ has been till date regarded as one of the finest works of Dilip Kumar. Kumar brought the character of Devdas to life with his appealing performance in the movie, his portrayal of Devdas continues to be appreciated and admired and is touted to be the best of all screen depictions of this character.
Babul
Dilip Kumar’s ‘Babul’, is a musical drama that emerged as the second highest-grossing film of the year 1950. The movie showed a tragic love triangle between Dilip Kumar, Nargis, and Munawar Sultana.
Mughal-e-Azam
His historical film Mughal-e-Azam, where he played the role of Salim became a blockbuster, and up until 2008, it was the second highest-grossing film in the history of Bollywood.
Daag
His movie ‘Daag,’ is a social drama that brought Dilip Kumar the first ever Filmfare Award in the main category of best actor.
Movie that made Dilip Kumar a ‘Tragedy King’ of Bollywood?
You must be thinking that movie would be Devdas that made Dilip Kumar the ‘Tragedy King’ of Bollywood‘, however, it was his movie ‘Deedar’, one of the noted tragedies made in early Indian cinema that revolves around the unfulfilled love of Dilip Kumar’s character who was separated from him due to class inequalities.
The film emerged as one of the most popular films of the golden era and established Kumar as the ‘King of tragedies.’ The film starred Nargis alongside Kumar.
When Pakistan awarded Dilip Kumar Nishan-e-Imtiaz
In 1998, Pakistan awarded Dilip Kumar Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award for his contribution to improving relations between India and Pakistan. The award was presented by President Rafiq Tarar at the March 23rd Pakistan Day ceremony in Islamabad.
Achievements of Dilip Kumar
The superstar had worked in over 65 movies in his five decades-long careers. Dilip Kumar received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 1991, the Dadasaheb Phalke, India’s highest award for cinematic excellence, in 1994, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
