RIP Dilip Kumar: India, Pakistan United In Grief For Iconic Actor

Mumbai: One of Bollywood's most iconic and revered actors, Dilip Kumar passed away at the age of 98, from prolonged illness. 

His death sparked a wave of tributes rushing in from the film industry, political fraternity, sportspersons and fans.

Kumar, who was born Mohammed Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, changed his name soon after venturing into the industry to spare himself his stern father's criticism.

With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three most legendary and marketable actors, who defined the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the actor. She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Prime Minister Of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan both paid tribute to the late actor on twitter.

The widespread pouring of condolences on social media platforms is essentially a testament to Dilip Kumar's charm which transcended all boundaries. He was beloved across the subcontinent till his death. 

Over the span of his five-decade career, he was given the nickname of 'The Tragedy King' owing to a sense of melancholy and gloom that pervaded most of his roles. 

He is often hailed as the 'First Khan' of Bollywood, paving way for a long list of future Khans to dominate the industry. 

Kumar ventured into Bollywood with his debut 1944 film Jwar Bhata, which was produced by Bombay Talkies

His other notable films are Andaz (1949), Aan (1952), Daag (1952),  Devdas (1955), Azaad (1955), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Gunga Jamuna (1961), and Ram Aur Shyam (1967).

Kumar took a five-year hiatus from 1976 to 1981. He made his comeback with 1981 film Kranti. 

Dilip Kumar was in a long relationship with Bollywood diva Madhubala but the duo never married. 

In 1966 actress Saira Bano and Dilip Kumar tied the knot. They had been living ever since in Bandra, Mumbai till his death. 

The actor held the Guinness World Record for bagging the most film awards by an Indian actor. He had received eight Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, a Special Recognition Filmfare Award among others. 

If adjusted to inflation, Kumar starrer historic drama Mughal-E-Azam remains the highest-grossing film in India. 

Dilip Kumar's extraordinary contribution to the film industry will be remembered for ages to come.

Imran Khan Recalls Dilip Kumar''s Generosity

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday condoled the death of Indian cinema icon Dilip Kumar, saying he can never forget his generosity in helping to raise funds for a trust to set up cancer hospitals in his mother''s memory.

Kumar, India''s enduring film legend through the decades, died at a Mumbai hospital in the morning after a prolonged illness. He was 98.

"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 (the) project launched. This is the most difficult time - to raise (the) first 10% of the funds & his appearance in Pak & London helped raise huge amounts," Khan tweeted.

"Apart from this, for my generation Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor," he said.

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centres are state-of-the-art cancer centres located in Lahore and Peshawar.

Kumar was born on December 11, 1922 at his family home in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar.

The Pakistan government has already declared his native house as a national heritage and completed all formalities to convert it into a museum in his name.

Kumar, known to generations of film-goers as ''tragedy king'' for his portrayal of the brooding, intense romantic in classics such as ''Mughal-e-Azam'' and ''Devdas'', had been admitted to the Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 facility in Khar, since last Tuesday.

Kumar, born Yousuf Khan and often known as the Nehruvian hero, did his first film ''Jwar Bhata'' in 1944 and his last ''Qila'' in 1998, 54 years later. The five-decade career included ''Mughal-e-Azam'', ''Devdas'', ''Naya Daur'', and ''Ram Aur Shyam'', and later, as he graduated to character roles, ''Shakti'' and ''Karma''.