Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, 98, dies in Mumbai

Dilip Kumar, the iconic actor who ruled the Indian film industry in the 50s and 60s, died in Mumbai on July 7 at age 98, reported ANI quoting his doctor. He was admitted in the suburban Khar-based Hinduja Hospital on Sunday morning after complaining of breathlessness.

“Veteran actor Dilip Kumar passes away at the age of 98, says Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating the actor at Mumbai’s PD Hinduja Hospital,” ANI tweeted. 

  Also read: Dilip Kumar: The original King Khan of Bollywood

Born Mohammed Yusuf Khan, the ‘Tragedy King of Bollywood’ (the epithet he later earned) was known for his acting versatility, good looks, and subtle charisma. He spent six decades in the movie industry, and delivered unforgettable hits such as ‘Devdas’, ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Madhumati’, ‘Naya Daur’, ‘Kohinoor’, ‘Ram aur Shyam’.

Born to Ayesha Begum and Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan on December 11, 1922 in Pakistan’s Peshawar, the young and ambitious Mohammad Yusuf Khan left his home when he was only a teenager. He was looking for ways to help bolster family income.

Also read: Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu: The couple who stayed strong till death did them part

From Nashik, where his family had relocated, he moved to Pune where he set up a sandwich stall. But, he wanted to do more. Through a contact, he landed at production house Bombay Talkies and rest is history. Bombay Talkies signed him up and launched him in the 1944 film Jwar Bata but not before owner Devika Rani convinced him to change his name to Dilip Kumar.

Also read: Dilip Kumar: Remembering Bollywood’s tragedy king with these timeless classics

His first major hit was ‘Jugnu’ (1947) with Noor Jehan. Then came ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Mela’. His biggest hit was the 1960 film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, which was the highest-grossing film in Indian film history for 11 years until it was surpassed by 1971 film ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ and later by the ‘Sholay’ in 1975.

Dilip Kumar, with his acting, ushered in an era of realism in the Indian film industry, inspiring generations of young artists over the years. From an understated yet determined prince of the iconic ‘Mughal-e Azam’ to the chirpy lad of Naya Daur and the rebellious law student of ‘Leader’, Dilip Kumar made all role believable. He was even described as “the ultimate method actor” by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

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A film critic once wrote, “you are not an actor if you don’t have a bit of Dilip Kumar in you.” This was borne out by generations of actors deciding to move to Mumbai, inspired by the original Khan. Be it Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan or Rajesh Khanna, all have spoken about the impact Dilip Kumar had on them.

Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu in 1966 when he was 44 and she was 22. Last year, the veteran actor had lost his two younger brothers — Aslam Khan (88) and Ehsan Khan (90) — to COVID-19.