Great legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar dies in Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital at 98 after a brief illness after complaining of breathlessness.
It was the second time he had been hospitalized in the same month. Dilip Kumar was first taken to hospital on June 6 and was put on oxygen support and found to be stable.
Over the last few years, the actor had been in and out of hospital over the last few years with ailments varying from kidney disease to pneumonia. Dilip Kumar, who would have been 99 in December, close to a century!, survived by his wife of over 50 years, Saira Banu, a famous Indian film actress.
Dilip Kumar, real name Yusuf Khan, performed in some of Indian cinema’s most far-reaching landmark films including Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Ram Aur Shyam, Andaz, Madhumati and Ganga Jamuna. His career spanned several decades, starting in the ’40s. He transitioned from playing the romantic-tragic lead to character roles from the ’80s on, in films such as Kranti, Shakti, Karma and Saudagar. 1998’s Qila was his last film.
Early Life, He Rose to be a Star from Humble Origins:
Dilip Kumar was born as Mohammad Yusuf Khan to Ayesha Begum and Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan, one of 12 children, on 11 December 1922 at home in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, British India. His father was a landlord and fruit merchant who owned orchards in Peshawar and Deolali near Nashik. Mohammad Yusuf Khan studied at Barnes School, Deolali, Nashik. He grew up in the same religiously mixed community as Raj Kapoor, his childhood friend, and later his colleague in the film industry.
In the latter half of 1940, while still in his teens and after a dispute with his father, Mohammad Yusuf Khan left home for Pune in Maharashtra. With the help of a Parsi café-owner and an elderly Anglo-Indian couple, Kumar met a canteen contractor. Without letting on his family antecedents, he got the job on the merit of his knowledge of good written and spoken English. He set up a sandwich stall at the army club and when the contract ended, he headed home to Mumbai, having saved Rs. 5000.
In early 1943, eager to start a venture to help his father with household finances, he met Dr. Masani at Churchgate Station, who asked him to accompany him to Bombay Talkies, in Malad. There he met actress Devika Rani, owner of Bombay Talkies, who asked him to sign up with the company on a salary of Rs. 1250 per month. He also met actor Ashok Kumar, who influenced his acting style by telling him to act “natural,” as well as film producer Sashadhar Mukherjee. Both of these people became close to Kumar over the years. Initially, Kumar helped out in the story-writing and scripting department because of his proficiency in the Urdu language. Devika Rani requested him to change his name to Dilip Kumar, and later cast him in a lead role for Jwar Bhata, which marked Kumar’s entry into the Hindi film industry.
Heartfelt condolences are pouring out for him from all quarters:
My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & fans of Dilip Kumar ji.
His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/H8NDxLU630
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 7, 2021
Rahul Gandhi
@RahulGandhi
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24m
My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & fans of Dilip Kumar ji.
His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come.
To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Om Shanti ?? pic.twitter.com/dVwV7CUfxh— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 7, 2021
Akshay Kumar “To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Om Shanti”
An end of a great life that he lived and inspired millions all along. Rest in peace Sa'ab! His soul might have left his body but he is going to live forever in the memories of India. ❤️ #DilipKumar @TheDilipKumar pic.twitter.com/mhDbnqLCXX
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) July 7, 2021
Gaurav Pandhi
@GauravPandhi
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18m
An end of a great life that he lived and inspired millions all along. Rest in peace Sa’ab! His soul might have left his body but he is going to live forever in the memories of India. Red heart #DilipKumar
@TheDilipKumar
"With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago.
We are from God and to Him we return. – Faisal Farooqui," tweeted the official Twitter handle of #DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/9KiPHFg6uc
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 7, 2021
“With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago. We are from God and to Him we return. – Faisal Farooqui,” tweeted the official Twitter handle of #DilipKumar
Deepest condolences to the legendary actor Dilip Kumar Ji's family, friends, fans and followers.
His contributions made to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come.
May his soul rest in peace.#DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/imPspw6oQb
— All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) July 7, 2021
All India Mahila Congress
@MahilaCongress
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10m
Deepest condolences to the legendary actor Dilip Kumar Ji’s family, friends, fans and followers.
His contributions made to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come.
May his soul rest in peace.
#DilipKumar
Legends never die, they live on forever, in our hearts and minds.
Saddened to hear of Shri Dilip Kumar’s passing. May god give lots of strength to Saira Banu ji& his loved ones. My heartfelt condolences to millions of his fans across the world. May his soul RIP. #DilipKumar
— Priyanka Chaturvedi?? (@priyankac19) July 7, 2021
Priyanka Chaturvedi
@priyankac19
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2m
Legends never die, they live on forever, in our hearts and minds.
Saddened to hear of Shri Dilip Kumar’s passing. May god give lots of strength to Saira Banu ji& his loved ones. My heartfelt condolences to millions of his fans across the world. May his soul RIP. #DilipKumar
Deeply saddened to hear passing away of the veteran Bollywood actor #DilipKumar sahab. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the Indian Film Industry. May his soul rest in peace. @TheDilipKumar
Condolences to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/hbgQcY8BRO
— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) July 7, 2021
Salman Khurshid
@salman7khurshid
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10m
Deeply saddened to hear passing away of the veteran Bollywood actor #DilipKumar sahab. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the Indian Film Industry. May his soul rest in peace.
@TheDilipKumar
Condolences to his loved ones.
My heartfelt condolences to friends , family members and numerous fans of #DilipKumar Saab on his demise . His unparalleled contribution to Indian Films & it’s s holistic development will be remembered through generations. pic.twitter.com/7rnTra5m3j
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) July 7, 2021
Hemant Soren
@HemantSorenJMM
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18m
My heartfelt condolences to friends , family members and numerous fans of #DilipKumar Saab on his demise . His unparalleled contribution to Indian Films & it’s s holistic development will be remembered through generations.