Dilip Kumar passed away on 7 July 2021 at the ripe old age of 98. One of the original heroes of Hindi movies, he was adored by generations of Indian film viewers as well as cinema lovers abroad. He passed away battling prostate cancer in Mumbai and was buried with full state honours at Juhu Cemetery.
Dilip Kumar is mourned by movie viewers and celebs alike. He was known as the ‘tragedy king’ for the type of characters and roles he played.
Many of Bollywood’s current actors, notably Shah Rukh Khan were inspired by his distinctive method-acting style and the many memorable characters he played. SRK also reprised his tragic Devdas decades after Dilip Kumar did.
He was born Yusuf Khan in undivided Indian in Peshawar and was one of 12 children. His schooling was in Nashik. He grew up in the same neighbourhood as his childhood friend Raj Kapoor who is seen here with him.
His first film was Jwar Bhata in 1944. His last film was the rather forgettable Qila in 1998.
Dilip Kumar still holds the record for the most number of Filmfare Best Actor awards.
These were contemporaries; each with their own distinctive style and actors who gave us some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic characters over the years.
Dilip Kumar had no children and left behind no dynasts after him in the film industry. However he had the respect of his colleagues and juniors.
He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, among India's highest civilian awards. Some people, such as actor Shatrughan Sinha have questioned why Dilip Kumar never received the Bharat Ratna.
Younger actors such as Ranbir Kapoor to veterans such as Dhamendra paid their final respects.
Saira Banu (22 years junior to Dilip Kumar and his wife since 1966) received a call from the PM condoling her for her loss. Tributes have poured in from across India and from aboard.
The official Filmfare Twitter handle shared some rare pictures of the actor.
Superstar Mammootty shared this image and his memories of a ‘legendary thespian’.
He received the first-ever Best Actor award for Daag in 1952.
His other memorable films include Devdas, Aan, Andaz, Naya Daur, Madhumati, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram aur Shyam and later Shakti, Mashaal, Karma, Vidhaata and many others. These are some of the films that best showcase the acting talents of the late Dilip Kumar.
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