dilip kumar ki biography

Dilip Kumar Age, Death, Wife, Family, Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About Dilip Kumar

Dilip Kumar smoking

Dilip Kumar’s childhood photo

• His father was a landlord and fruit merchant and also owned orchards in Deolali (in Maharashtra, India) and Peshawar (in Pakistan). In the late 1930s, his family moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) from Peshawar, Pakistan. In Bombay, Dilip Kumar was the neighbour of the legendary Indian actor Raj Kapoor . In an interview, he was asked how much did he miss Peshawar? He replied,

I remember a lot. With age, this trend has increased even more. I miss my grandmother. Reminds me of childhood. I miss playing my football.”

• In 1940, when Dilip Kumar was a teenager, he left his home and moved to Pune, Maharashtra, after an altercation with his father. There, he started a dry fruit shop and a sandwich stall at an army club in Pune, Maharashtra.
• After almost three years, the legendary Indian actress Devika Rani and her husband Himanshu Rai spotted Dilip Kumar in a military canteen. They liked him and offered him the lead role in the Hindi film ‘Jwar Bhata’ (1944). In an interview, he shared how he developed an interest in acting. He said,

Yes, I used to watch movies, but they used to be English films. When I got a chance to work in Hindi films, I had seen only a few Hindi films. In those days I was crazy about English films. He used to watch these films hiding from his family members. Later he came to know about this. He was also worried about my passion for films. When I decided to become an actor in Hindi films, I was worried how to do something I don’t know. But then Devika Rani of Bombay Talkies told me that just as you are learning to sell fruits, you will also learn acting.” Dilip Kumar and Devika Rani

• Before making his debut in the Hindi films, at the suggestion of Devika, he changed his name from Mohammed Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar. During an interview, Dilip Kumar shared why he had changed his name. He said,

Haqeeqat bataun? Pitayi ke darr se maine yeh naam rakha (Should I tell you honestly? It was because I was scared of beatings that I used this name).”

Dilip Kumar in Jugnu

Raj Kapoor, Nargis, and Dilip Kumar on the sets of Andaz

• In the 1950s, he appeared in many super-hit Hindi films like ‘Jogan’ (1950), ‘Babul’ (1950), ‘Hulchul’ (1951), ‘Shikast’ (1953), and ‘Uran Khatola’ (1955).

Dilip Kumar with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

Dilip Kumar in Devdas

I had been playing characters who were ill-fated and a morbid outlook had seized me as a result of my extreme involvement and my living the character beyond the working hour.”

• His first technicolour film was ‘Aan’ (1952) which was released worldwide and premiered in London.

Dilip Kumar with his Filmfare Award

• In 1951, while shooting for the Hindi film ‘Tarana’ Dilip Kumar fell in love with his co-star Madhubala . After a courtship of almost seven years followed by an engagement, troubles started arising in their relationship due to the court case of the Hindi film ‘Naya Daur’ in 1957. Their last film together was the epic Hindi film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ (1960). In an interview, while talking about Madhubala, he said,

I must admit that I was attracted to her (Madhubala) both as a fine co-star and as a person who had some of the attributes I hoped to find in a woman at that age and time…She, as I said earlier, was very sprightly and vivacious and, as such, she could draw me out of my shyness and reticence effortlessly.”

Dilip Kumar in Amar (1954)

• Kumar portrayed the role of Prince Salim in K. Asif’s epic historical film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ (1960). The film remained the 2nd highest-grossing film till 2008 in the history of Hindi films. The film was shot in black & white, and some scenes of the film were shot in colour. In 2004, after almost 44 years of its original release, the film was fully colourised and was re-released in theatres.

• In the Hindi film ‘Gunga Jamuna’ (1961), the role of his younger brother was played by his real brother Nasir Khan. The duo appeared together in another Hindi film ‘Bairaag’ (1976).
• In 1962, he was offered a role in the British film ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ by the British director David Lean, which he declined.
• He got married to the Indian actress Saira Banu in 1966 who was almost half of his age. While he was married to Saira, he fell in love with a girl from Pakistan Asma and secretly got married to her in 1980. His marriage with Asma did not last long, and he returned to his first wife, Saira. During an interview, he talked about his marriage to Saira. He said,

When I married Saira she was young, even younger than my sisters. I wondered how she would cope with establishing the right vibes with my brothers and sisters, especially since she belonged to a small family. We siblings were a dozen. But she not only respected and loved them as a devoted sister-in-law, but also keeps me close to all of them.” A collage of Dilip Kumar’s wedding photographs

Gopi (1970)

Dilip Kumar in Karma

Dilip Kumar With Ashok Kumar

• In 1993, during the riots in Maharashtra (caused by the demolition of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya), he made his home as a command centre for the relief work. He was involved in various social activities, and he was one of the members who conceptualised Jogger’s Park in Bandra, Mumbai.

Dilip Kumar campaigning for the Congress party

Dilip Kumar filing his nomination papers

Dilip Kumar (left), Raj Kapoor (centre), and Dev Anand (right)

• Dilip Kumar loved cooking, and the best dish he used to make was chicken soup. In an interview, the Indian politician Priya Dutt said,

Dad had a very special relationship with Dilip Uncle. Dilip uncle was always an elder brother and advisor to dad. Whenever father had problems in his life and was going through any kind of an upheaval, he would directly walk all the way up to Dilip uncle’s house. He would go up to him and say that I want to eat with you. Dilipsaab himself used to cook a dish then – Chicken Soup. They used to sit over dinner and discuss. They were very important moments to my father. Dad was always giving advice to others as an elder, but he never had someone older than him to handhold him when he needed.”

• Kumar was the idol of the veteran Indian actor Dharmendra . While talking about Dilip in an interview, Dharmendra said,

I used to go and meet him and at times I would want to leave early because I wanted to have my regular (alcohol). Dilipsaab would understand and would ask for alcohol to be served too. But I loved his Chicken soup and what Narmada (his cook) cooked and he would give me advice on my career as well.”

He further added,

Imagine our talks and with so much love he gave me a sweater to wear. It used to get nippy those days in 60s so I told him ‘I will not return it, can I take it?’ He happily gave it to me with a lot of love. Then we were shooting one day; he would tell me wear my suit and I told Saira ‘I have got my own, will wear my own cause his are a little loose’ and I couldn’t say no to him then I reminded him, ‘Dilip sahib I took your sweater’ since nobody forgets if they have bought something nice so he said, ‘Yea I got 2 from Paris, one Nasir took and the other you took.” Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra

• Once, Congress parliamentarian Lilavati Munshi raised the issue of Dilip Kumar’s hairstyle while he was in the Rajya Sabha. She said,

It had “adverse effects” on Indian youths.”

Dilip Kumar with Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

• In 2008, a Hindi documentary ‘Abhinay Samrat Ki Dastan’ was released on the life of Kumar.

Dilip Kumar’s Twitter account

• In an interview, while talking about the new age actors, Dilip Kumar said,

Yes, most of today’s actors are thinking that what is kept in literature. I have to say that literature works to keep your sensibilities alive. We have become friends with machines as if we too have become machines. I have read a lot of writers like Mir, Ghalib, Tagore, Iqbal, Faiz, Josh, Premchand, Sharatchand and Manto. These are the writers everyone should read. All the great writers of the world should read. But very few actors of today read literature. This round is looking a little too fast, but it should be considered whether this fast race will be successful in taking a person somewhere.”

Dilip Kumar featured on the Filmfare magazine’s cover

• He was well-versed in speaking various languages including Pashto, Hindko, Urdu, Hindi, and English.
• Dilip Kumar was very close to the famous Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan . In an interview, Dilip’s wife Saira said that Shah Rukh Khan was their mooh-bola-beta. She further said,

Dilip saab gave the ceremonial clap (Dil Aashna Hai). I have always said that if we had a son, he might have looked like Shah Rukh. Both he and saab are a lot alike and have similar hair, which is why I like to run my fingers through Shah Rukh Khan when we meet. This time (during one of their earlier meetings) he asked me, ‘Aaj aap mere baalon ko haath nahin laga rahi hain?’ I was happy to.” Dilip Kumar with Shah Rukh Khan and Saira Banu

• Once, Dilip Kumar said that he was one of the poorest actors in India, he further said,

My costumes and everyday clothes are stitched by the tailor on Pali Naka who had been making my cloths ever since I started living in Bandra. I have my own barber who visit my house once in a month.”

• In the Guru Nanak Khalsa College in Mumbai, an auditorium has been named after him with the name ‘Dilip Kumar Auditorium.’ In an interview, the college officials said,

The College hall has been named after the alumnus and thespian actor Dilip Kumar. This center is amphitheater for budding talents. Having a proper stage with a green room facility, the college hall has a 500 plus seating capacity. Apart from being the venue for formal functions, the hall is also used for events like drama competitions, literary events, Kavi-Sammelan, Mehfil and allied artistic pursuits.”

• Dilip and Saira did not have any child of their own. During an interview, while talking about it Dilip said,

It would have been great if we had our own kids. But we have no regrets. We are both submissive to the will of God. As for incompleteness, I must tell you that neither Saira nor I can complain of a lack of contentment. It is enough for us that we have our families to share our happiness and our small dismays with. Mine is a large family, with so many nieces and nephews and their families of growing kids speaking the language of today, which is as bewildering as it is befitting the times they are living in. Saira’s is a small family comprising her brother Sultan and his kids and grandchildren. We feel we are lucky to be there for them when they need us.”

• In an interview, while talking about Saira Banu , Kumar said,

I wish to live for the happiness of my wife. I knew and know even more strongly now that she loves me as no one, other than my mother, has. I wish to live for her love and devotion. It is so lovely to wake up and see the preparations she has done to make each day worth living for. In fact, our common wish now is to care for, and make, each other happy. You have to be truly lucky to be in my place.”

• In 2013, he visited Masjid al-Haram (The Great Mosque of Mecca), Saudi Arabia, along with his wife and a few relatives. In an interview, Kumar said,

Allah has been kind that he’s given me the strength to go on Umrah (pilgrimage) with Saira, Asif, Faisal… My doctor friends, few relatives are also accompanying me to Umrah. Keep me in your prayers.”

• As he was getting older, he suffered from various age-related ailments. Later, he was detected with prostate cancer which had spread in the other organs of his body. After a prolonged illness, he passed away on 7 July 2021 in Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, and on his demise, one of the doctors involved in his treatment said,

He had water in pleural cavity and suffered kidney failure. He required blood transfusion multiple times. We carried out the last transfusion but it did not help.”

• On 7 July 2021, he was wrapped in a tricolour flag and with the full state honour, he was buried at the Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz, Mumbai. Many Indian actors like Amitabh Bachchan , Shah Rukh Khan , Ranbir Kapoor , and Dharmendra were present at his last rites.
• On his demise, many Indian and Pakistani celebrities shared their condolences on Twitter. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi tweeted,

Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP.”

• Even the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was disheartened to know about Dilip’s demise. He tweeted,

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 project launched. This is the most difficult time – to raise first 10% of the funds & his appearance in Pak & London helped raise huge amounts. Apart from this, for my generation Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor.”

• The legendary Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted,

An institution has gone… Whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written, it shall always be ‘before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar’ … My duas for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss. Deeply saddened.”

• In July 2024, it was reported that his Bandra bungalow-turned-apartment was sold for Rs. 155 crore.

References/Sources: [ + ]

• History & Society
• Science & Tech
• Biographies
• Animals & Nature
• Geography & Travel
• Arts & Culture
• Games & Quizzes
• On This Day
• One Good Fact
• New Articles
• Lifestyles & Social Issues
• Philosophy & Religion
• Politics, Law & Government
• World History
• Health & Medicine
• Browse Biographies
• Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
• Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
• Environment
• Fossils & Geologic Time
• Entertainment & Pop Culture
• Sports & Recreation
• Visual Arts
• Demystified
• Image Galleries
• Infographics
• Top Questions
• Britannica Kids
• Saving Earth
• Space Next 50
• Student Center

• What are some of the major film festivals?

Dilip Kumar

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• MapsofIndia.com - Dilip Kumar Biography
• IndiaNetzone - Biography of Dilip Kumar

Recent News

Dilip Kumar (born December 11, 1922, Peshawar , British India [now in Pakistan]—died July 7, 2021, Mumbai , India) was one of the legendary actors of Bollywood . With his low-key , naturalistic acting style, he excelled in a wide range of roles. In addition to his acting, he was noted for his good looks, deep voice, and fine accent.

Kumar was born into a Pashtun family of 12 children. He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and began working in a British army canteen, where he was noticed by Devika Rani, a leading actress of the time, and her husband, Himanshu Rai, who hired him to act for the Bombay Talkies, a film company they owned. Kumar made his acting debut with the film Jwar bhata (1944), but it was not until a few years later that he had a box-office hit, with the film Jugnu (1947). In 1949 he costarred with Raj Kapoor in Mehboob Khan’s film Andaz (“A Matter of Style”), which catapulted him to stardom.

As Kumar’s career progressed, he played a string of ill-fated characters in films such as Deedar (1951; “Meeting”), Daag (1952)—for which he received the first of eight Filmfare Awards for best actor—and Devdas (1955). His screen persona acquired mournful overtones, and he was known as the “king of tragedy.” Eventually, he opted for a brighter image, playing swashbuckling heroes in such films as Aan (1953; “Pride”), Azaad (1955; “Free”), Insaniyat (1955; “Humane”), and Kohinoor (1960). In the blockbuster Mughal-e-Azam (1960), set in the 16th century, he played Crown Prince Salim, son of the great Mughal emperor Akbar . Kumar’s other memorable films included Bimal Roy’s Madhumati (1958), Nitin Bose’s Gunga Jumna (1961), and Tapan Sinha’s Sagina (1974).

After an extended hiatus , Kumar made a comeback with Manoj Kumar’s film Kranti (1981; “Revolution”). Thereafter he played key roles in Subhash Ghai’s Vidhaata (1982), Karma (1986), and Saudagar (1991; “Merchant”). He was also noted for his performance in Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti (1982; “Strength”). Kumar’s last film was the family drama Qila (1998; “Fort”).

In 1994 Kumar received a Filmfare Award for lifetime achievement. The following year he was given the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India’s highest award for cinematic excellence. In 1998 he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award, becoming the second Indian (after Morarji Desai ) to receive the honour. That same year he announced his intention to retire from acting. From 2000 to 2006 he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha , the upper chamber of India’s bicameral parliament.

Dilip Kumar Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography

Starting his career in British India, appearing in Bollywood’s some of the blockbusters, the Tragedy King , Dilip Kumar was an Indian film institution himself. Working more than six decades, Dilip Kumar had seen the Indian Cinema change. The winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke award, Dilip Kumar portrayed every sort of role in his long acting career..

Biography/Wiki

Muhammad Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar was born on 11 December 1922 (age 98 years; at the time of death) in a Muslim family in Peshawar, (Now in Pakistan) British India. His father was a fruit merchant, who owned an orchard in Peshawar. For his primary education, Muhammad Yusuf Khan was sent to Nasik, Maharashtra where he became a close friend of another would-be Bollywood star, Raj Kapoor .

Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor

In 1940, when he was only 18 years old, he fled to Poona (Modern day, Pune, Maharashtra) after an argument with his father. On the merit of good English speaking and writing skills, he managed to get a job.

Childhood photo of Dilip Kumar

He set up a sandwich stall at Army Club in Pune. when the contract ended, he shifted to Mumbai with the saving of ₹5000. In 1942, he met  Dr. Masani who took him to Bombay Talkies in Malad where he met actress  Devika Rani , owner of Bombay Talkies. Devika Rani asked him to sign up with Bombay Talkies with the salary of ₹1250/month. It was Devika Rani who requested him to change his name to Dilip Kumar .

Dilip Kumar and Devika Rani

Later, he met actor  Ashok Kumar , who influenced his acting style and told him to act natural.

Dilip Kumar with Ashok Kumar

Dilip Kumar was born to  Lala Ghulam Sarwar and  Ayesha Begum .

Dilip Kumar with his mother

Dilip Kumar lived in a small house in Peshawar, Pakistan with his 11 siblings.

Dilip Kumar’s house in Peshawar

He had five brothers: Nasir Khan (Younger, Film Actor), Ehsan Khan, Aslam Khan, Noor Mohammed, and Ayub Sarwar. Dilip Kumar had six sisters: Fauzia Khan, Sakina Khan, Taj Khan, Farida Khan, Saeeda Khan, and Akhtar Asif; Saeeda Khan passed away on 24 September 2023 due to prolonged illness. [1] The Times of India

Saira Banu with Dilip Kumar’s sisters

He got married to film actress Saira Banu on 11 October 1966.

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu’s marriage photo

In 1980, he got married to Asma Rehman .

Dilip Kumar with Asma Rehman

He has no child.

Dilip Kumar made his debut in 1944 from the film  Jwar Bhata . In 1949, he got his breakthrough from Mehboob Khan’s directed, Andaz . During the 1950s, he worked in several films such as Babul (1950), Jogan (1950), Deedar (1951), Hulchul, (1951), Daag (1952), Shikast (1953), Amar (1954), Insaniyat (1955), Uran Khatola (1955), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Madhumati (1958), Yahudi (1958), etc.

Dilip Kumar made his debut from Jwar Bhata

In 1960, he portrayed the role of ‘ Prince Salim ‘ in K. Asif’s high-budget historical film, Mughal-e-Azam which was the highest grossing film in the Indian Cinema for the next 11 years until it was surpassed by film  Haathi Mere Saathi  (1971) and later by the film  Sholay (1975).

In 1991, he did  Saudagar , alongside fellow veteran actor Raaj Kumar . This film was his last box-office success.

In 1998, he worked on his last film, Qila  which was a flop at the box office.

Relationships & More

During his initial days in Bollywood, he was hooked up with  Kamini Kaushal , a former actress.

Dilip Kumar with his ex-girlfriend Kamini Kaushal

But, later, his pair with Madhubala (Actress) became very popular. During the filming of the movie Tarana  (1951), Dilip Kumar fell in love with Madhubala. They dated each other for seven years until Dilip Kumar stood by BR Chopra against Madhubala.

He married actress, Saira Banu in 1966 who was 22 years younger than him.

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

In 1980, he got married to Hyderabad socialite Asma Sahiba , but the marriage did not last for long and ended in January 1983.

Awards/Honours/Achievements

Dilip Kumar held the Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian Actor. He won 8 Filmfare awards for the best actor and one Lifetime Achievement award. In 1980, he was appointed the Sheriff of Mumbai  (An Honorary Position). In 1991, the then Indian government honoured him with the  Padma Bhushan . He was bestowed upon the  Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994.

Dilip Kumar receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award

In 1997, the government of Andhra Pradesh honoured him with  NTR National Award .

Dilip Kumar receiving Padma Vibhushan by the Cabinet Minister Rajnath Singh

He has a net worth of $85 million.

On the morning of 7 July 2021, Dilip Kumar passed away at the age of 98 at Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital. [2] The Indian Express The actor had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathlessness on 30 June 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 — Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021

Later, it was announced through the actor’s official Twitter handle that the burial would take place at Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz, Mumbai at 5:00 PM on 7 July 2021.

Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai. — Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021

Interesting Facts

Dilip Kumar with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor

• His first anti-hero role was in   Mehboob Khan’s Amar  (1954).
• In order to shed his image as  “Tragedy King” once, a psychiatrist advised him to take lighthearted roles.
• In 1961, he produced one and last film of his career-  Ganga Jamuna  in which his younger brother- Nasir Khan also acted alongside him.
• In 1962, a British director, David Lean offered him a role in a British Film–  Lawrence of Arabia,  which he declined.

Dilip Kumar starred in Gopi with his wife Saira Banu

• In 1997, Dilip Kumar was honoured with ‘ Nishan-e-Imtiaz ‘ (highest civilian award in Pakistan) by the Government of Pakistan.
• Between 2000 and 2006, he was the Member of Rajya Sabha on the Congress’ ticket.
• In 2011, on his 89th birthday, he launched his Twitter account.
• In 2013, he went to a pilgrimage, to Mecca along with his wife.
• His Bandra bungalow-turned-apartment was sold for Rs. 155 crore in July 2024.

References [+] [−]

Related Posts

Kyra Dutt Height, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Rahul Bagga Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Aditya Seal Wiki, Age, Girlfriend, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Arushi Nishank Wiki, Height, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Tiger (Shera’s Son) Wiki, Height, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

Adah Sharma Wiki, Height, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Biography

Prayag Raj Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Guddi Maruti Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Ishaan Khatter Wiki, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

Karishma Chavan Wiki, Age, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Biography & More

My only regret is that Dilip kumar & raj kapoor Should have made more movies working together other then just One movie Andaz

His acting was very fake, rehearsed and monotonous, all his mannerisms were predictable from the word go. He had innumerable affairs and marriages and was a very slimy character all hi life.

He was most copied actor by those who had aspirations to become an actor

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• general knowledge

Dilip Kumar Biography: Real name, age, net worth, wife, family, film career, death and more

The tragedy king of india, dilip kumar is no more. he left for heavenly abode on july 7, 2021 at 7:30 am. let us know more about the legendary actor, his wife and his life below. .

Legendary film actor Dilip Kumar passed away today morning at the age of 98 in Hinduja Hospital Mumbai . He was suffering from prolonged illness. As per the doctor Jalil Parkar, who was treating him,  "He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am."

Know more about the greatest actor of tragedy in India, his real name, his career and family life in the article below. 

But before that let's go through some tweets made in his honour by various known people in his life. 

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 — Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021

Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2021

Amitabh Bachchan, who is a staunch follower of Dilip Kumar tweeted in his honour;

T 3958 - An institution has gone .. whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written , it shall always be 'before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar' .. My duas for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss .. 🤲🤲🤲 Deeply saddened .. 🙏 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 7, 2021

The actor would be buried today as per the tweet shared by his family friend.

Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai. — Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021

Dilip Kumar: Real name, Birth and Early Life  Dilip Kumar was born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan to Ayesha Begum and Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan in 1922. He was one of the twelve children of the couple born on 11th December 1922 at Qissa Khawani Bazar area of Peshawar. Dilip Kumar's father was a landlord and a fruit merchant; his mother was  a homemaker.  Mohammed Yusuf was schooled in Nashik. His neighbour and childhood friend was the one and only Raj Kapoor.  He had an altercation with his father in his teen age and left for Pune. With the help of the Parsi contractor, Kumar, he got his first job based on his good English. His career started when he met actress Devika Rani, owner of Bombay Talkies and Ashok Kumar who later influenced his acting style.  Dilip Kumar: The First Film and Career Dilip Kumar's first film was Jwar Bhata in 1944 . The film brought him no fame and was followed by various unsuccessful films. It was Jugnu alongside Noor Jehan that brought him fame. Then came Shaheed and Mela but his first breakthrough was Andaz alongside Raj Kapoor and Nargis and Dilip Kumar became what he deserved. In 1950s, he became the first actor to charge a hefty amount of 1 lakh per film.  Dilip Kumar : Married Life It is said that Saira Banu always knew she would marry Dilip Kumar. She went head over heels over him since the age of 12. In an interview she once said, "I was not just another girl smitten by Dilip Kumar. For me, it was no castle in the air because I had given my dream the strong foundation of faith- faith in myself and faith in God." Naseem Banu, Saira's mother played the cupid and love blossomed between the two on the sets of Jhuk Gaya Aasman where Dilip Kumar proposed to her for marriage. They tied the knot on October 11, 1966. Saira Banu was 22 years younger to Dilip Kumar when she married him. It is not very known, but Dilip Kumar had another wife, Asma Rehman, 16 years after he married Saira Banu. However, that marriage ended in 1983.    Dilip Kumar Family: Dilip Kumar had 6 sisters: Fauzia Khan, Sakina Khan, Taj Khan, Farida Khan, Saeeda Khan, and Akhtar Asif. His brothers were Nasir Khan, Aslam Khan, Ehsaan Khan, Noor Mohammed, Ayub Sarwar.  Dilip Kumar had no children from both his wives.  Dilip Kumar: Net Worth and Legacy It was reported by a film magazine once, that Dilip Kumar's net worth is estimated to be around INR 627 crores. His major source of income was acting. The actor was alos a Member of Parliament of which he drew a salary.  The actor will always be remembered because of his films like Nadiya Ke Par (1948), Arzoo (1950), Daag (1952), Devdas (1954), Naya Daur (1957), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), and Karma (1986). His final film before he quit facing the camera was Qila in 1998.  His most famous dialogues were from films like Mughal-e-Azam which would be remembered for centuries: " Taqdeerein badal jaati hain, zamana badal jaata hai, mulkon ki tarikh badal jaati hain, Shahenshah badal jaate hain,  magar is badalti huyi duniya mein mohabbat jis insaan ka daaman thaam leti hai,  woh insaan nahi badalta." Another dialogue would be from the film Saudagar that won the hearts of the audience- "Haq hamesha sar jhukake nahin, sar uthake maanga jaata hai." His films were always thought provoking and the actor went on to gain titles like King of Romance, Tragedy King and others.  He is said to be one of the greatest intellects of the film industry who was always surrounded with thoughtful people.  May his soul Rest In Peace! Also Raed| Milkha Singh Biography: Age, Death, Family, Career, Records, Awards and Honours and more

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• Why did Dilip Kumar change his name? + Dilip Saab admitted that due to "Pitayi ka Darr" aka to avoid a beating from his father, he had to change his name. His father did not consider films as an apt profession.
• What is Dilip Kumar's net worth? + Dilip Kumar's net worth is basically from his acting career and his Member of Parliament salary. It is estimated to be around 627 crore INR.
• Who is Dilip Kumar's son? + Dilip Kumar has no children from both his wives. Neither did he have a child with Saira Banu, nor with Asma Rehman
• What is Dilip Kumar's real name? + Dilip Kumar's real name was Mohammed Yusuf Khan
• September Important Days 2024
• Mother Teresa Quotes
• Chandrayaan 3 Quiz
• ISRO Quiz Questions
• National Space Day 2024
• National Film Awards 2024 winners list
• How to Use Meta AI
• India PM List 2024
• Nirmala Sitharaman
• Finance Ministers List 2024

Latest Education News

Brain Teaser: Which Glass Has More Water? Only 1% Pass This Test in 8 Seconds!

UP Police Exam Analysis 2024 Live Updates: Shift 1, 2 UPPRPB Constable Paper Review, Question Asked

NEET PG Result 2024 OUT: NBEMS Announces NEET Medical Entrance Exam Results at natboard.edu.in, Download Merit List PDF

Only 1% High IQ Can Spot 4 Differences in Popeye's Picture in 8 Seconds!

UP Police Constable Exam 2024 Live Updates: जानें 24 अगस्त को कैसा आया यूपी पुलिस कांस्टेबल का पेपर, क्या रहा कठिनाई स्तर, यहाँ देखें सभी अपडेट

UP Police Constable Question Paper 2024 {PDF} : यहाँ से डाउनलोड करें 24 अगस्त शिफ्ट 1, 2 के यूपी पुलिस कांस्टेबल प्रश्न पत्र PDF

MJPRU Result 2024 OUT at mjpruiums.in; Download UG and PG Marksheet PDF

Alagappa University DDE Result 2024 at alagappauniversity.ac.in; Direct Link to Download Marksheet PDF

IGNOU June TEE Result 2024 OUT at ignou.ac.in; Direct Link to Download Term End Exam UG and PG Grade Card

Osmania University Results 2024 OUT at osmania.ac.in; Direct Link to Download OU Marksheet PDF

Janmashtami 2024 Date: 25 or 26 August? Check Correct Date, Time, Fasting and More Details

Optical Illusion IQ Test: Can You Spot the Hidden Words in 8 Seconds?

Assam University Result 2024 OUT at ausexamination.ac.in; Direct Link to Download UG Provisional Marksheet

Personality Test: Your Finger Length Reveals Your Hidden Personality Traits

UP Police Constable Question Paper 2024: Download 24 August UPPRPB Papers Shift 1 and 2

UP Police Constable Answer Key 2024: Download UPPRPB Unofficial Papers for All Shifts

UP Police Expected Cut Off 2024: Check UPP Constable Cut Off Category Wise

IBPS Clerk Memory Based Question 2024, August 24: Check Questions Asked in Today’s Prelims Exam

IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2024: Shift 1, 2,3 and 4 Prelims Paper Review, Difficulty Level, Good Attempts

HPBOSE 10th Supplementary Result 2024 Declared: Check HP Board Class 10 Supply Results Online at hpbose.org by Roll Number

Dilip Kumar

• Born December 11 , 1922 · Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India
• Died July 7 , 2021 · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (prolonged illness)
• Birth name Yusuf Khan
• Legendary Khan
• Tragedy King
• Height 5′ 8¼″ (1.74 m)
• Dilip Kumar (1922-2021) is widely considered the greatest acting exponent India ever produced. Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, British India (present-day Pakistan), he is better known by his stage name Dilip Kumar given to him by actress and owner of Bombay Talkies, Devika Rani. Credited with pioneering method acting in Indian cinema in mid-1940s, before Marlon Brando introduced it to Hollywood in 1950s, he has been often called as "Abhinay Samrat" (Hindi for "Emperor of Acting") by the audience. He was the biggest Indian star since Post-Independence period throughout 1960s, starring in some of the biggest commercial and critical successes of Indian cinema. It is to be noted that according to major trade analysts, many of his big commercial successes were films with apparently no commercial/entertainment value, which relied heavily on his histrionics to succeed, an extremely rare feat in the annals of cinema worldwide. Box Office India quoted that any such an instance has never happened with any other star, as their films had to be backed by at least few commercial elements/genres to succeed. Irrfan Khan, while saying that Kumar is the only one who should be called "legend", justifiably quoted the reason as, "the combination of artiste and star that he brought, started and ended with him." Born to a fruit merchant, Lala Ghulam Sarvar Khan and his wife Ayesha Begum, Yousuf Khan and his family would migrate to Bombay Province, to expand their family business in 1930s which had come to a halt due to the complications of WWII. He had his schooling in Deolali and graduation in Mumbai. He started with managing a shop and selling fruits in an army canteen in Pune. Upon a rebellion in the canteen during Indian National Movement, he gave a speech justifying India's struggle for Independence, which resulted in his eviction from the canteen. A chance encounter with Devika Rani, got him opportunity to work for Bombay Talkies, at remuneration of Rs 1250/- per month. Having no clear intention of working there, he still accepted the job because of the high salary. Kumar later accepted that by the age of 14, he hadn't watched a film, and later in his teenage, watched few English films. Devika Rani selected Dilip Kumar as his stage name (a common tradition back then) from the 3 names suggested by Pandit Bhagvati Charan Verma, which also included Vasudev and Jehangir. Kumar in 1970, in an interview told that, one of the main reason, he agreed to adopt a stage name was out of fear of his father, who was strictly against films due to their poor reputation among the masses at the time. He further said that on being offered to choose among the three names, he expressed that he was okay with any of them. Later, he got to know his stage name, when it was first published in a newspaper. Kumar's first film as an actor was Jwara Bhata (1944), which was the 6th highest grossing Hindi film of the year, according to some sources, though not really profitable. His performance was severely criticized by the major critic of the time, Baburao Patel of FilmIndia. Similarly the next venture, Pratima (1945) was also flop and his work again criticized. The next venture, Milan (1946), directed by Nitin Bose, proved to be fruitful for Kumar, not only because it was successful commercially, but his acting sensibilities greatly improved during the period of its filming. However his performance was still criticized by FilmIndia. The success of the next film Jugnu (1947), which was the highest grossing Indian film of the year, established him as the first star of Post-Independence India and arguably, the biggest star of the country at that moment. His performance was appreciated by Baburao Patel for the first time. However, he severely criticized the film, writing a letter to the then Home Minister (who later went on to become Prime Minister under Janata Dal in 1977), Moraji Desai, asking him to ban the film. It was banned for a few months, after which the ban was uplifted. The film, already a roaring success, became an even bigger hit, after it was re-released. The period starting from here till at least 1961, was a period of raging success in Kumar's career, both critically and commercially, which cemented his legacy notch above his contemporaries. Post 1961, the workload slowed, with fewer releases thereafter and also slowed their commercial success, although his earlier films still doing great in re-releases, many times higher than many of his contemporaries' fresh releases. During this period, his two main contemporaries were Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. The three of them were sometimes referred collectively as "the golden trio" of this period, with camaraderie between the three contemporary actors famous and each renowned for their own style. Shaheed (1948) is cited by many to be the first true Dilip Kumar film, in the sense his legacy was to be built on performances like this in the years to come. It was a roaring success, highest grossing Hindi film of the year. Andaz (1949), a record grosser at the time, starring Nargis and Raj Kapoor along with Kumar, popularized the theme of love triangles in Indian cinema. His performance in the film was superlatively appreciated by masses and critics alike. Baburao Patel's review headline read "Dilip Kumar draws crowd to cinemas". His dramatic performances in the next films till early 1950s, brought him the title of "Tragedy King". These intense performances, in which he immersed himself, had an adverse affect on his psyche. He consulted psychiatrists in London, who advised him to take up lighter roles. Interestingly, almost all of his lighter roles starting from Aan (1952) and Aazad (1955) were huge commercial successes. His performance in these roles were appreciated by masses and critics alike. Aan (1952) was the highest grossing Indian film ever at the time both in India and overseas. Post Aan, Kumar's popularity again took a big leap, establishing him as undisputedly the biggest star of the country. Devdas released on 30 December, 1955 is considered one of the most iconic performance of his career. Although a moderate success when initially released, the film found greater success in subsequent years though re-releases, making it amongst the most popular role essayed by Kumar. All three Andaz (1949), Aan (1952) and Naya Daur (1957) briefly became the highest grossing Indian film upto that point, a feat later achieved by Kumar's Mughal-e-Azam (1960) in which he essayed the role of Prince Saleem (amongst his most popular roles), a record it held for 15 years. By adjusting for inflation, it is still the Highest-grossing Indian film of all time, as of 2022. The decade 1950s was the most prolific decade of Kumar's career, with 21 releases of which only 1 film, namely Hulchul (1951) failed commercially. 5 (or even 6) of his films were placed in top 10 highest grossers of the decade by Box Office India. Similarly 9 (or even 10) of his 21 releases were placed among the top 30 highest grossers of the decade. The period from late 1940s to early 1960s is often referred to as the "Golden Age of Hindi cinema and music". The 1950s decade is also important in terms of popularising cinema and filmi music in India and establishing it as a part of popular culture. The decade also saw the rise of stars (in true sense), commercialisation of industry as well as rise in the number of theatres. Kumar was the representative of this period, holding the status of a matinée idol and the country's highest paid actor. Gunga Jumna released on 6 Jan, 1961, few months after the release of Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Kohinoor (1960), represents the peak of Kumar's career both as an actor and star. His performance as robust and defiant Gunga is considered by many to be the greatest acting performance in the history of Indian cinema. It won him international laurels. His performance was profoundly appreciated by actors in the West. The film set the template for the "Angry Young Man" films starring Bachchan in 1970s and the theme of brothers on the opposite side of the law. After Gunga Jumna (1961), Kumar's workload slowed significantly, his next venture Leader (1964), failed to be a big commercial success. It did mediocre business. Next film Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966) is the first flop film of Kumar in over 15 years. Ram aur Shyam (1967) is the last big hit of Kumar's first innings (as an actor) in Hindi cinema. It was his first double role film and popularized "double role" and "lost and found" films in mainstream Indian cinema. 1970s saw Kumar's career as a lead actor take a downturn. Age was becoming a factor, and the onset of new stars further convinced Kumar to take a hiatus. Out of his 4 Hindi films released in 1970s, Gopi (1970) was the only clean box office hit. As per the new reports of Box Office India, Bairaag (1976), is either "Hit" or "Semi-Hit". In 1970, he acted in his only Bengali film, Sagina Mahato (which also has a Hindi version, Sagina released in 1974, starring Kumar). The film was reportedly a huge success in Bengal. He won BFJA (Bengal Film Journalist Associations) award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. In 1976, he took a five-year hiatus aligning on the above mentioned reasons. He returned to the big screen playing the title role of Kranti (1981), the highest grossing Indian film of the decade, when adjusted for inflation. In this phase of his career, he played senior, mature roles who were the main characters of the films. Films were specifically written for him which also starred other actors playing young roles. Films like Kranti (1981), Vidhaata (1982), Karma (1986), and Saudagar (1991) were among the biggest hits of the time and all driven by him despite playing senior roles, a feat that had remained unprecedented even after him as per trade analysts. Some other films also found average success, including Shakti (1982), which starred Kumar along with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles. The film won him his last Filmfare Award for Best Actor. His next venture after Saudagar (1991) was the commercially unsuccessful Qila (1998), which also turned out to be his last. He retired from film industry in 1999. Kumar had been involved in many relationships including Kamini Kaushal, with whom he fell in love on the sets of Shaheed (1948). Their relationship fell apart as Kaushal was married to her brother-in-law after her sister-in-law died in a car accident. Reportedly she married on the insistence of her family to look after the little children of her sister-in-law. His next relationship was with Madhubala, which started on the sets of Tarana (1951). It was a seven year long relationship that ended after the Naya Daur court case in which Kumar sided with the producer B.R. Chopra and testified against Madhubala's father, Ataullah Khan as he declined her to travel to the planned shooting locations at the last moment. However Kumar in his autobiography cites another reason that played an important role in the fallout; Madhubala's father insisted him to act only under his own banner after their marriage. In 1966, he married actress Saira Banu in a private ceremony. Their marriage survived for over 50 years until Kumar's death in 2021-despite undergoing an upheaval-Kumar's alleged second marriage with Asma Rehman in 1981, whom he met at a cricket match in Hyderabad, where she lived. He soon divorced her in 1983, describing this incident as a "grave mistake taken in pressure" in his autobiography. Kumar died on 7 July 2021, due to kidney complications and other age related issues. He had no children through his marriage. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Saira Banu. As of 2022, he holds the record for winning 8 Filmfare awards for Best Actor ( later equalled by Shah Rukh Khan) and was also the inaugural recipient of the award. He has also won numerous other awards including Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994. He is the recipient of Padma Vibhushan (in 2015) and Padma Bhushan (in 1991), India's second and third highest civilian honour respectively. He is also the only Indian recipient of Pakistan's highest civilian honour, Nishan-e-Imtiaz (in 1998). As of 2021, he holds the Guinness World record for having received the most awards by an Indian actor. He holds several long standing box office records including giving at least 1 clean hit for 15 years straight, which is at least an Indian record, according to a trade analyst. Since independence till late 2010s, he held the record for giving the maximum number of highest grossing film of the year, 9 times which was then surpassed by Salman Khan. However as per latest Box Office India reports, highest grossing Indian film of 1991 was Kumar's Saudagar (1991) and not Salman Khan's Saajan (1991), thus perhaps re-establishing his long standing record. In regards to his films' success ratio, he is the most successful Bollywood actor (quite possibly, Indian actor) of all time, by a distance, as of 2022. These gigantic records, his overwhelming popularity across Indian subcontinent, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and beyond, especially among South Asian diaspora around the world, makes him easily among the biggest stars cinema has ever seen across the globe. He famously turned down David Lean's offer of the role which ultimately went to Omar Sharif in one of West's greatest critical and commercial success, Lawrence of Arabia (1962), which made a major Hollywood star out of Sharif. Justifying his decision, Dilip Kumar had remarked, "In your own bazaar you enjoy a certain status. What's the point of venturing out into fields unknown where you have no say? No contact with the subject matter." He was also considered for a role in another film Lean was working on, titled "Taj Mahal". Elizabeth Taylor was supposed to play the part opposite Kumar. However, the project was eventually shelved. According to many, he is probably the first person to perform method acting on screen in mid 1940s. Despite not knowing what it meant by then, he had been practising it since a time when, perhaps, the term wasn't even coined. Kumar, who never went to any acting school, was described by the renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate method actor", despite not having worked with him. There are innumerable such complements by numerous luminaries across professions to quote, which is quite not possible; from the likes of the recent statement by Indian born naturalised British economist Lord Meghnad Desai, claiming Kumar to be the greatest actor on global scale to age old statements like the one by, V. Shantaram, one of founding fathers and pioneers of Indian cinema, prompted by Kumar's versatility expressed, "Had Shakespeare met Dilip Kumar, he would have added one more character to the already well-defined ones he had created." Most importantly, Dilip Kumar's complete impact is realized definitely in the fact how he changed the rules of acting and influenced generations of future artistes in Indian subcontinent (even his contemporaries), but also in the truth that at his best, he was the catalyst in expanding the reach of quality cinema, from metros to rural India, from classes to masses, from serious connoisseurs to common entertainment seekers. Some of the greatest critical successes became some of the biggest hits when he acted in them, liked, revered and celebrated by classes and masses alike. His intense, in-depth performances, eloquent silences and the most nuanced expressions observed and enjoyed and celebrated at the same time by the most casual entertainment seekers of his time. There have been some great artistes across the history. And there have been some huge stars across the history. But the instance of both of them being a single entity, elevating and expanding the art form to an even greater point, is true, an extremely rare sight, but equally magical while it lasts. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Divyansh Srivastava
• Spouses Asma Rehman (1981 - 1983) (divorced) Saira Banu (October 11, 1966 - July 7, 2021) (his death)
• Parents Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan Ayesha Begum
• Relatives Ayub Khan (Niece or Nephew) Saqib Khan (Niece or Nephew) Ilaham (Niece or Nephew) Fahd (Niece or Nephew) Amjad Mohammed (Niece or Nephew) Javed Mohammed (Niece or Nephew) Zooni Asif (Niece or Nephew) Fauzia (Sibling) Akhtar (Sibling) Nasir Khan (Sibling) Ayub Khan (Niece or Nephew) Saeeda Khan (Sibling)
• His deep, rich voice
• Declined the role of Sherif Ali in David Lean's 'Lawrence of Arabia', ultimately played by Egyptian star Omar Sharif. Sharif was offered the role of Tafas who is ironically shot by Sherif Ali in his introductory desert sequence. Omar Sharif got catapulted into the world scene with this role, going on to further collaborate with David Lean in another epic 'Doctor Zhivago' (this time in the lead role).
• Turned down a role in David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia".
• Formed a popular on-screen couple and had hit films with Kamini Kaushal , Nimmi , Meena Kumari and Vyjayanthimala . But off-screen he had fallen in one-sided love with Kamini Kaushal from 1948-51 and later fell in love with Madhubala between 1954-57, however Madhubala's father disliked Dilip's behavior and disapproved of the alliance.
• Dilip Kumar regarded that chronologically more versatile actors than him are Motilal, Sohrab Modi, Ashok Kumar. He was a fan of K.L.Saigal as well. Dilip Kumar regarded that his seniors M.G. Ramachandran and Pran, his juniors by age Sivaji Ganesan, Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna were more versatile than him. Later in the 1990's he added he liked Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Hasan's contribution as well.
• At the time of marriage, he was 44 and Saira Banu was 22.
• Am overwhelmed by the affection shown by the people over the years. But to be very frank, I have been outdone by actors like my seniors M.G.Ramachandran and Pran and then by Sivaji Ganesan, Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna who were much more versatile than me as actors. Their number of films and the various characters they have done are much more than that of mine.

Contribute to this page

• Learn more about contributing

More from this person

• View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro

More to explore

Recently viewed.

Dilip Kumar Biography

Birthday: December 11 , 1922 ( Sagittarius )

Born In: Peshawar, Pakistan

Dilip Kumar , popularly called the Tragedy King, was among the greatest actors ever to have graced Indian cinema. Born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan, he adopted the screen name Dilip Kumar in keeping up with the traditions of early Hindi filmdom. The iconic actor had a long and illustrious career spanning over five decades and was considered one of the foremost figures of the ‘Golden Era of Indian Cinema’. He entered the world of Hindi cinema during the 1940s when Bollywood was still in its infancy. His foray into acting was by chance—he actually started out as a canteen owner when a chance encounter with the actress Devika Rani resulted in a film offer. Even though his debut film did not do well, he soon established himself as an emotive character actor by the end of the decade. In spite of his being a versatile actor who played several different characters with the same intensity and effectiveness, he was best known for portraying tragic roles in films like ‘Jogan’, ‘Deedar’ and ‘Devdas’ which earned him the title Tragedy King. Dilip Kumar had the distinction of being the first actor to receive a Filmfare Best Actor Award, an award which he won eight times throughout his career.

Recommended For You

Indian Celebrities Born In December

Also Known As: Muhammad Yusuf Khan

Died At Age: 98

Spouse/Ex-: Saira Banu (m. 1966–2021), Asma Rehman (m. 1981–1983), Saira Banu (m. 1966–2021)

father: Lala Ghulam Sarwar

mother: Ayesha Begum

siblings: Akhtar Asif, Ayub Sarwar, Nasir Khan, Noor Mohammed

Born Country: India

Actors T V & Movie Producers

Height: 5'10" (178 cm ), 5'10" Males

Died on: July 7 , 2021

place of death: Mumbai Maharastra, India

City: Peshawar, Pakistan

awards: 1954 - Filmfare Best Actor Award (Daag) 1956 - Filmfare Best Actor Award (Azaad) 1957 - Filmfare Best Actor Award ( Devdas)

1958 - Filmfare Best Actor Award ( Naya Daur) 1961 - Filmfare Best Actor Award ( Kohinoor) 1965 - Filmfare Best Actor Award (Leader) 1968 - Filmfare Best Actor Award ( Ram Aur Shyam) 1983 - Filmfare Best Actor Award (Shakti)

You wanted to know

What are some iconic movies of dilip kumar.

Some iconic movies of Dilip Kumar include "Mughal-E-Azam," "Devdas," "Naya Daur," "Madhumati," and "Ram Aur Shyam."

Did Dilip Kumar work in any regional language films?

Yes, Dilip Kumar worked in a few regional language films, including the Tamil movie "Iruvar Ullam" and the Bengali movie "Sagina Mahato."

What was Dilip Kumar's approach to acting?

Dilip Kumar was known for his method acting approach, where he would deeply immerse himself in the character he was playing to deliver authentic and powerful performances.

How did Dilip Kumar contribute to the Indian film industry?

Dilip Kumar is considered a legendary actor who raised the bar for acting in Indian cinema with his nuanced performances and significant contributions to the industry over several decades.

Was Dilip Kumar involved in any philanthropic activities?

Yes, Dilip Kumar was involved in various philanthropic activities throughout his life, including supporting charitable organizations and initiatives aimed at helping the less fortunate in society.

Recommended Lists:

Dilip Kumar was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan into a Pashtun family in Peshawar (now in Pakistan). His father, Lala Ghulam Sarwar was a fruit merchant. He received his primary education from the prestigious Barnes School in Deolali.

His large family relocated to Mumbai during the 1930s in search of a better future for the children.

Dilip Kumar went to Pune during the early 1940s where he began operating a canteen. He supplemented his income by supplying dry fruit.

Dilip Kumar happened to meet actress Devika Rani and her husband Himanshu Rai in 1943. Rai was the owner of Bombay Talkies and the husband-wife duo selected Dilip Kumar for playing the lead role in their film ‘Jwar Bhata’ which was released in 1944. During this time he acquired the screen name Dilip Kumar.

He starred as Sooraj in ‘Jugnu’ in 1947 which also had Noor Jehan and Shashikala in important roles. The film was a big hit and is noted for being the legendary actor’s first major hit.

After the success of ‘Jugnu’, Dilip Kumar was flooded with movie offers and appeared in several movies in 1948 including ‘Shaheed’, ‘Mela’ and ‘Anokha Pyar’ of which ‘Shaheed’ was a big hit.

He found his big breakthrough with Mehboob Khan’s ‘Andaz’ in 1949. It was a love triangle which also starred Raj Kapoor and Nargis. The movie went on to become the top grossing film ever made in India till then.

The decade of 1950s was very productive for him. It was during this time that his image as a tragic hero began to emerge as he played tragic roles in ‘Jogan’ 1950, ‘Deedar’ (1951) and ‘Daag’ (1952).

In 1955, he played the title role in “Devdas’, a love story in which Vyjayanthimala and Suchitra Sen played his love interests. His role as an obsessive lover who wastes away his life by drinking is often considered the epitome of the tragic lover.

He was again cast opposite Vyjayanthimala in the drama film ‘Naya Daur’ in 1957. The story was set against the backdrop of industrialization in post-independence India. The movie became a huge commercial hit.

After enjoying superstardom during the 1950s, he welcomed the new decade of the 1960s with a stellar performance in ‘Kohinoor’ (1960) as Yuvraj Rana Devendra Bahadur for which he won a Filmfare Best Actor Award.

The 1960s was also successful for him though not as successful as the preceding decade. His major movies were ‘Gunga Jumna’ (1961), ‘Dil Diya Dard Liya’ (1966), ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ (1967), and ‘Aadmi’ (1968).

Dilip Kumar's career faltered during the 1970s as newer actors like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan were beginning to gain in popularity. He appeared only in a few films like ‘Gopi’ (1970), ‘Sagina’ (1974), and ‘Bairaag’ (1976) which failed to do well at the box office. He took a hiatus of five years following this.

He made a successful comeback in 1981 with the multi-starrer ‘Kranti’ which had a large star cast consisting of Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Prem Chopra, Shatrughan Sinha, and Paintal among others.

During the 1980s and 1990s he started playing roles that were more suited to his age. He appeared in numerous films as the father or grandfather of the young protagonists. His last film appearance was in ‘Qila’ in 1998 in which he played dual roles.

One of the best known works of Dilip Kumar is his movie ‘Devdas’ which is a love triangle revolving around the doomed love of Devdas and Paro. The movie won him a Filmfare Award and was ranked among the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films by Indiatimes Movies in 2005.

His film ‘Kohinoor’ in which he acted opposite Meena Kumari was a rare film where he played a light-hearted role. The movie is famous for its funny scenes and Dilip Kumar won a Filmfare Award for his role.

‘Ram Aur Shyam’ a film in which he played the dual roles of twin brothers who are separated at birth and reunited later on is a very famous film which has inspired several remakes in Hindi films.

Dilip Kumar was the recipient of eight Filmfare Best Actor Award—a record for the highest number of awards which he shares with Shah Rukh Khan.

He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India by the Government of India in 1991.

He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.

Dilip Kumar was in a romantic relationship with actress Madhubala but had to end it as her father was opposed to their marriage.

He married the much younger actress Saira Banu in 1966; he was 44 and she was 22 at the time of their marriage.

He had a second marriage with Asma in 1981 but the marriage was short-lived and ended in a divorce in 1983.

He served as a Member of Parliament for in Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006.

Dilip Kumar died on 7 July 2021, at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, at the age of 98. He was suffering from prostate cancer.

Dilip Kumar's real name is Muhammad Yusuf Khan. He changed his name to Dilip Kumar when he entered the film industry.

Dilip Kumar was known for his method acting and would often immerse himself completely in his characters, sometimes even staying in character off-screen.

Dilip Kumar was a skilled amateur painter and enjoyed spending his free time creating artwork.

Dilip Kumar was a polyglot and could speak several languages fluently, including Hindi, Urdu, English, and Pashto.

Dilip Kumar was a philanthropist at heart and was involved in various charitable activities throughout his life, supporting causes related to education, healthcare, and social welfare.

Dilip Kumar Movies

  (War, Drama, Romance)

  (Mystery, Musical, Romance)

  (Romance, Musical, Drama)

  (Musical, Drama, Romance)

  (Romance, Musical)

  (Action, Romance, Musical, Drama)

  (Drama)

  (Drama, Romance)

  (Drama, Crime)

  (Family, Drama, Action)

See the events in life of Dilip Kumar in Chronological Order

How To Cite

People Also Viewed

Also Listed In

© Famous People All Rights Reserved

Dilip Kumar: Actor and star who grew with India as it evolved

MUMBAI: He was more than a star, more than just an actor even.

Dilip Kumar, or Yousuf Khan as he was born, was the legend who epitomised the composite culture of India, both in his films that explored stories of rebellion, hope and love and in his seven decades in public life.

Kumar, who died on Wednesday morning at the age of 98, was the thinking, impassioned hero framed in black and white who moved on to a spectrum of roles in technicolour, his life and career a testimony to India as it grew and evolved over the decades.

One of the handful of greats etched in the annals of Indian cinema, tragedy came to be affixed to his name with his turn as the brooding lover in classics such as "Devdas", "Andaz" and the epic romance "Mughal-e-Azam".

But the 'Tragedy King', who did his first film 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944, three years before Independence, and his last 'Lal Quila' in 1998, was more than that.

T 3958 - An institution has gone .. whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written , it shall always be 'before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar' .. My duas for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss .. Deeply saddened .. — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 7, 2021

Reflecting on the times his films were made in, he was the Nehruvian hero grappling with problems plaguing a young India in the cinema of the late 40s and 50s, most notably "Shaheed" and "Naya Daur".

That idealism gave way to a certain disillusionment in the 60s with films such as "Ganga Jamuna", angst that found pronounced resonance with the emergence of the angry young man persona of the 70s Bachchan by when Kumar had moved on to character roles.

Kumar, part of Hindi cinema's famed triumvirate along with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, set hearts aflutter, spawned many wannabes and was the inspiration for generations of actors with his own brand of method acting - intensity at the core of every role that he did.

Unlike Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, he never ventured into filmmaking, preferring to stick to acting, his abiding passion.

But he was never just an actor and a marquee name admired by generations of filmgoers.

Kumar was also a polyglot.

The erudite Pathan from Peshawar, who started as a fruit trader, was fluent in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Marathi, Bengali and English.

WATCH: The only song Dilip Kumar himself sang - Lagi Nahi Chute from Musafir

His wife, actor Saira Banu, noted that he was just as well-versed with the Quran as he was with the Bhagvat Gita and could recite verses from his memory.

"His secular beliefs spring straight from his heart and from his respect for all religions, castes, communities and creeds," she wrote in the foreword of the actor's autobiography "The Substance and the Shadow".

In the troubled early 1990s, when Mumbai was riven by communal tension, Kumar emerged as a figure of peace.

During the 1993 riots in the city, stories abound of how he opened his home and made it a command centre for relief work.

He was a much-awarded artist, honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 as well as the Dadasaheb Phalke in 1994.

Dililp Kumar saheb. A career that teaches many actors like me a standard and commitment to maintain in their performance. Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/PNdBzjYj7R — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 7, 2021

He was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha for one term and served as the sheriff of Bombay in 1980.

In 1998, somewhat controversially, he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the Pakistan government's highest civilian award.

The following year, the Kargil war between the two countries broke out and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray demanded he return the award.

But Kumar refused to succumb and met then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the matter.

As the years passed and age caught up with him, Kumar withdrew from the public eye but like most stars never faded away.

The man, who inspired the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, remained on the edges of public life with his films watched by those who grew old with him and also newer generations of film lovers who wanted to catch up with the best of Indian cinema.

And era has gone His name is #DILIPKUMAR He Will be remembered in golden pages in the history of indian cinema for centuries to come RIP saheb pic.twitter.com/nf82Uj6deL — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) July 7, 2021

The Dilip Kumar oeuvre is limited to just 60-odd films, most ranked as classics.

These include "Devdas" -- a tragic story of unrequited love still associated with him despite its many screen iterations - "Madhumati", "Mughal-e-Azam" of course and "Naya Daur" that mirrored the man vs machine conflict of the 50s.The second innings saw him play memorable character roles in films such as "Kranti", "Karma" and "Shakti".

It is often said that Kumar was the first of the Khans.

In a sign of the times that were, this Khan -- born Muhammed Yousuf Khan, one of Pathan fruit merchant Ghulam Sarwar's 11 children, on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar - was rechristened the perhaps more acceptable Dilip Kumar.

His new name and new identity were given to him by Devika Rani, who was head of Bombay Talkies at the time and was of the view that a screen name would help audiences relate to him.

It certainly did.

Though his first film, Bombay Talkies' "Jwar Bhata" went unnoticed success beckoned with the next, "Jugnu" in 1947.

Dilip Kumarji was the doyen of Indian Cinema and will forever be remembered. Condolences to his family and friends. May the legend's soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/s8kRj8cFdw — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) July 7, 2021

Till "Jugnu", the acting career was hidden from his family.

It was Basheshwarnathji, Prithviraj Kapoor's father and Raj Kapoor's grandfather, who pointed his father's attention to the hoarding of "Jugnu".

The two families had been neighbours in Peshawar and friends for years, and it was Raj to whom Yousuf turned to when his disappointed father refused to speak to him.

In a story that has become part of film lore, Raj got his father Prithviraj to mediate.

And all was eventually well.

It was only fitting that both the Peshawar boys went on to become amongst India's most loved and respected actors.

The fame did not always sit easily on Kumar.

So many of his stories had tragedies written into them.

At some point, the reel started impacting his real life.

He went through a bout of depression in the 1950s and decided to opt for lighter roles in films like "Ram Aur Shyam" and "Gopi".

An Era comes to an END in the Indian Film Industry.Deeply Saddened by the passing of LEGEND #DilipKumar Saab. One of the GREATEST Actors India has ever produced,an Acting Institution & a National Treasure. Enthralled the world for several decades.May his soul Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/f5Wb7ATs6T — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) July 7, 2021

ALSO READ:  Cinema pays tributes to Dilip Kumar

Writing about this phase in his life, the actor wrote, "I had been playing characters who were ill-fated and a morbid outlook had seized me as a result of my extreme involvement and my living the character beyond working hours."

Though a private person in life, Kumar's name was sometimes linked to his leading ladies, the most discussed still being his relationship with Madhubala that ended due to a court case during the making of "Naya Daur" in 1957.

Many years later, he met Saira Banu, his wife of over five decades, at a party.

She was 22 and he 45.

There was a blip when Kumar married Hyderabad's Asma Sahiba in 1981.

The marriage lasted two years.

Other than that, Saira Banu has been a constant by Kumar's side, supporting him through the years and speaking for him when he was no longer in a position to.

That story has now ended.

But the legend that is Dilip Kumar will live on.

And not just in film archives.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp  

Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest

Related Stories

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, chaz's journal, great movies, contributors, dilip kumar, 1922-2021: the passing of a bollywood king.

Before Shah Rukh Khan danced his way across the screen and before Amitabh Bachchan mastered the “Angry Young Man” motif, Dilip Kumar commanded Indian cinema with a mix of dignity and gentleness. When his friend announced his death in a tweet, a generation of film lovers went into mourning.

Mohammad Yusuf Sarwar Khan was born near Peshawar in the North-West Frontier Province in pre-partition British India. The son of a fruit merchant and a domestic, the young Muslim chose his stage name to be the Hindu “Dilip Kumar” so that his father would not discover he entered the film industry. I suspect his father wanted him to be a physician, and every South Asian in the West understands this sentence.

He grew up with Shristhi Nath (Raj) Kapoor, of the Kapoor family, known as the “First Family” of Indian Cinema, with whom he later starred in his first hit, “Andaz” (1949).

He dominated Indian cinema through the 1950s with a series of hits—"Daag,” “Amar,” “Devdas,” “Madhumati”—becoming India’s highest paid star. While his films covered numerous genres, he developed such a reputation for tragedies that he was nicknamed the “Tragedy King.”

In 1960, he starred in the greatest of all Indian epics, “Mughal-e-Azam,” chronicling the story of Prince Salim who, while being groomed toward the throne, pursues a taboo romance with the dancer Anarkali. It is said that if corrected for inflation, “Mughal-e-Azam,” remains the most profitable Indian movie ever made.

Bollywood men are known for their roles opposite Bollywood women, though for much of his career we associated Kumar with one woman. In the 1960s, he married the actress Saira Banu. The daughter of actress Naseem Banu, she entered cinema as a teenager, as a fan of Kumar. There were numerous attempts to pair her on screen with Kumar that he kept refusing because of her young age. Later, he speaks of meeting her again in her early 20s (he was in his mid-40s), getting entranced by her beauty. Soon, they married. Because their first attempt at having children failed, they chose not to try again. The two remained together for the next half-century.

As a new generation of stars packed auditoriums in the 1970s, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor , and Rishi Kapoor , Kumar’s popularity began to wane. The younger audiences remained interested in forbidden romances, musical numbers, and melodrama, but consumed fisticuffs-as-tools-of-resolution. Now, actors provided gravitas through their ability to injure, rather than their ability to remain still.

Nevertheless, these two generations of film stars and their respective audiences often converged, allowing Kumar a return to the spotlight. He shared the screen in various films with such young stars as Bachchan (“Shakti”), Anil Kapoor (“Mashaal”), and Sanjay Dutt (“Vidhaata”).

Already one of the most decorated of Bollywood film stars, in the latter part of his career he received the honors of an elder statesman. As they have with Satyajit Ray , Lata Mangeshkar, and Raj Kapoor, the Indian film industry awarded him their highest honor, the Dada Sahib Phalke Award. The Indian government awarded him the Padma Vibhushan, among the nation’s highest honors. The Pakistani government not only awarded him their highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, but also named his childhood home in Peshawar a Heritage Site.

His final year of life had its tragedies. India has been one of the global hotspots for COVID-19. Dilip Kumar lost two of his brothers in the pandemic. Soon, he himself succumbed to complications related to prostate cancer.

Despite being a minority in this nation, I never appreciated the attention our American society gives to representation in politics and media. Yet, I fondly remember the unique pride my parents, aunts, and uncles would have when watching Dilip Kumar films on the VCR. Likewise, my cousins and I would watch his films—despite preferring Amitabh’s roles—because of the love our parents had for him. For my father, a Muslim product of Patna City in Bihar, Kumar’s “Mughal-e-Azam” was for him what “ Star Wars ” was for me: that grand story with the grandest of aspirations, compelling us to watch it with the same wide eyes we had as children, the first time we sat in the theater.

He leaves us over 60 movies. I hope then, as our world continues its wide polarization, that Kumar’s life, his films, and his love for India is a reminder that the Subcontinent—especially India—that is full of so many riches, so many traditions, so many cultures, can again be a model to the globe for pluralism and coexistence. Still, his passing reminds us that the word “legend” was coined for the likes of Dilip Kumar. 

Omer M. Mozaffar

Omer M. Mozaffar teaches at Loyola University Chicago, where he is the Muslim Chaplain, teaching courses in Theology and Literature. He has given thousands of talks on Islam since 9/11. He is also a Hollywood Technical Consultant for productions on matters related to Islam, Arabs, South Asians. 

Latest blog posts

13 Films Illuminate Locarno Film Festival's Columbia Pictures Retrospective

Apple TV+'s Pachinko Expands Its Narrative Palate For An Emotional Season Two

Tina Mabry and Edward Kelsey Moore on the Joy and Uplift of The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

The Adams Family Gets Goopy in Hell Hole

Latest reviews.

Simon Abrams

The Becomers

Matt zoller seitz.

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

Robert daniels.

Brian Tallerico

Between the Temples

Isaac feldberg.

Blink Twice

Peyton robinson.

• Murder Accused On Parole Rapes 15-Year-Old Girl In Maharashtra: Cops
• Singles In Pakistan Defy Tradition, Meet Potential Partners At Matchmaking Event
• 3 Students Beat Boy To Death At Delhi Madrasa. They Wanted A Holiday
• Woman Found Engulfed In Flames In Ambala, Rushed To Hospital: Cops
• Caste Census Needed For 90% People Sitting Out Of System: Rahul Gandhi
• Change Font Size A A
• Change Language हिंदी | Hindi বাঙালি | Bengali தமிழ் | Tamil
• Focus on Story
• Dark Theme Light Theme

What Made Dilip Kumar Such A Brilliant, Evocative Actor

Described by satyajit ray as "the ultimate method actor," dilip kumar's resume contains many of indian cinema's landmark, genre-defining roles.

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday , where he was admitted for about a week. He was taken to the hospital after complaining of breathlessness - it was the second time he had been hospitalised in the same month. "He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am," Dr Jalil Parkar, who had been treating Dilip Kumar, told news agency PTI. A tweet posted from the actor's official handle by family friend Faisal Farooqui read: "With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip saab a few minutes ago. We are from God and to him we return." He was 98.

Dilip Kumar had been in and out hospital several times over the last few years and had spent his 94th birthday in hospital. Dilip Kumar, star of iconic films such as Devdas and Madhumati , was often cited by colleagues such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan as the actor they most admire. He is survived by Saira Banu, his wife of over 50 years.

A still from Devdas .

Described by Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate method actor," Dilip Kumar's resume contains many of Indian cinema's landmark, genre-defining roles. His performances as the drunken, doomed lover in Devdas and the rebellious royal son in Mughal-e-Azam have been endlessly referenced by his successors on-screen. In Madhumati , he set the trend for reincarnation films. In Ram Aur Shyam , he established the twins-separated-at-birth formula. He became the first ever winner of the Filmfare Best Actor award for Daag in 1954 and went on to win the award another seven times. Just one other actor has equalled Dilip Kumar's eight Filmfare wins - Shah Rukh Khan, who has often cited the older actor as his inspiration.

Born Yusuf Khan in Peshawar on December 11, 1922, the young Dilip Kumar went to school in Deolali, Maharashtra, where his fruit merchant father owned orchards. In 1940, Dilip Kumar moved to Pune and set up shop supplying dry fruits and running a canteen. Three years later, actress Devika Rani and her husband actor-director Himanshu Rai spotted him in a military canteen and cast him as the lead in 1944's Jwar Bhata . Author Bhagwati Charan Varma changed his name from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar and the young actor took his first tentative steps towards stardom.

Jwar Bhata , however, sank without a trace at the box office, as did his next film Pratima . Then his luck turned with 1947's Jugnu , which co-starred actresses Noor Jehan and Ruby Myers and a little known Mohd Rafi, later to become one of cinema's most legendary voices. After the success of Jugnu came 1948's patriotic-themed Shaheed . Then, in 1949, the breakthrough Andaz , co-starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis, made Dilip Kumar a star.

A still from Mughal-e-Azam .

A series of dramatic roles followed in Deedar (1951), Daag (1952), Devdas and Azaad (1955). In 1958, he starred with actress Vyjayanthimala in the reincarnation and revenge themed Madhumati. In the epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960), he played Prince Salim battling his father, Emperor Akbar, to save his romance with the dancing girl Anarkali. Crowned Bollywood's 'Tragedy King,' Dilip Kumar was famously advised by his doctor to switch to lighter fare, which he did with great success in films like Aan (1952), Azaad (1955) and Kohinoor (1960). In 1957's Naya Daur , he played a tongawalla dealing with industrialization in independent India. In 1961, he produced and starred with his brother Nasir Khan in Ganga Jamuna . In 1967, he played a double role in Ram Aur Shyam , the film that inspired later blockbusters Seeta Aur Geeta and Chaalbaaz .

During this period, Dilip Kumar reportedly refused the role of Sherif Ali in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia , which was then played by Egyptian star Omar Sharif. In the Seventies, Dilip Kumar's career slumped somewhat in the wake of Rajesh Khanna's superstardom and the rise of Amitabh Bachchan's Angry Young Man. After a five year break, he returned to celluloid in the superhit Kranti (1981) as part of an ensemble cast featuring Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha. He then switched seamlessly from playing the hero to supporting roles, starring in acclaimed films such as Ramesh Sippy's Shakti (1982), Yash Chopra's Mashaal (1984) and Saudagar (1991) in which he co-starred with Raaj Kumar and Manisha Koirala. 1998's Qila marked his last appearance on-screen.

During his career, Dilip Kumar formed hit partnerships with actresses Vyjayanthimala, Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Kamini Kaushal and Nargis. Mohd Rafi often sang playback for him, as did Mukesh, Talat Mehmood and Kishore Kumar.

A still from Naya Daur .

An alleged romance with co-star Madhubala is the stuff of Bollywood legend, with a planned secret marriage reportedly being nipped in the bud by the actress' disapproving father. In 1966, Dilip Kumar married actress Saira Banu, his co-star in films like Gopi and Bairaag .

Dilip Kumar received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award in December 2015. Home Minister Rajnath Singh presented the award at his residence as the actor couldn't travel to New Delhi due to health issues then.

Dilip Kumar also received the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award in 1991. In 1994, he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In 1998, Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz , an honour he retained in the face of shrill objections from Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha for a term.

Entertainment I Read Latest News on NDTV Entertainment. Click NDTV Entertainment For The Latest In, bollywood , regional , hollywood , tv , web series , photos , videos and More.

• Notifications
• Web Stories
• TV Schedule
• मध्य प्रदेश

Dilip Kumar, Indian Cinema Legend, Dies at 98

By Naman Ramachandran

Naman Ramachandran

• J Balvin to Make Film Debut Alongside Sean Astin, Stephen Amell in Drug Drama ‘Little Lorraine’ (EXCLUSIVE) 1 day ago
• Venice Competition Surveillance Thriller ‘Stranger Eyes,’ Starring Lee Kang-Sheng, Unveils Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) 1 day ago
• Varun Dhawan Joins Sunny Deol in Cast of Bollywood War Epic ‘Border 2’ (EXCLUSIVE) 1 day ago

Dilip Kumar , one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, died in Mumbai on Wednesday after being hospitalized for breathlessness. He was 98.

The star had been ailing for several months and was in and out of hospital prior to his death.

Born Mohammed Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, British India, in 1922, Kumar debuted in films with “Jwar Bhata” (1944). Though he was known as the ‘tragedy king’ for his roles in sombre films like “Daag” (1952) and “Devdas” (1955), Kumar displayed range throughout his career including comedies “Azaad” (1955), “Kohinoor” (1960) and “Ram Aur Shyam” (1967), swashbuckler “Aan” (1952), historical “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and bandit drama “Gunga Jamuna” (1961).

After the indifferently received “Bairaag” (1976), where he played three roles, Kumar took a break from acting and returned with playing older characters in films like “Kranti” (1981), “Shakti” (1982), where he played alongside fellow Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in a casting billed as the clash of the titans, “Mashaal” (1984), “Karma” (1986) and “Saudagar” (1991).

Related Stories

Reality TV Survived the ’07 Writers Strike. Why Is It Hurting in 2024?

'The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Director Mohammad Rasoulof on Current State of Iran: ‘The Islamic Republic Is Vulnerable and Unstable'

Kumar’s last film was “Qila” (1998). His ambitious directorial venture “Kalinga” was launched in 1996, but was not completed.

Popular on Variety

He was accorded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honor, in 1994. He is also the only Indian recipient of the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civil honor.

Tributes are pouring in for Kumar.

“An institution has gone .. whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written, it shall always be ‘before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar’ .. My duas for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss .. Deeply saddened,” tweeted Bachchan.

T 3958 – An institution has gone .. whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written , it shall always be 'before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar' .. My duas for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss .. 🤲🤲🤲 Deeply saddened .. 🙏 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 7, 2021

“Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP,” tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kumar is survived by his wife, the actor Saira Banu.

More from Variety

Tate McRae Sings With Kid Laroi, Shouts Out Jake Shane at Madison Square Garden Debut: Concert Review

How Much Should AI Giants Pay Hollywood? What Insiders Say Has Stalled Any Licensing Deals

Bungie Layoffs Highlight Post-M&A Issues for Gaming Industry as Its Unions React

More from our brands, chappell roan sets boundary between public and private personas in forceful statement.

How Cambridge Audio Developed Its New All-in-One Component

Why NBA Is Seeking Dismissal of TBS, WBD Lawsuit

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

Think You’ve Seen the Last of Evil? Here’s a Darkly Funny Deleted Scene

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• College football
• Auto Racing
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Dilip Kumar, Bollywood’s great ‘Tragedy King,’ dies at 98

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2008, file photo, veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar, right, receives a Lifetime Achievement award at the 54th National Film Award ceremony in New Delhi, India. Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan, File)

Saira Banu, wife of Indian actor Dilip Kumar, wearing blue mask, center, mourns near his body at a hospital in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

A relative of Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar mourns outside his house in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Police officers stand outside the residence of Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

An ambulance carrying the body of Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar arrives outside his house in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Indian police officers salute during the guard of honor for Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (Kunal Patil/Pool photo via AP)

A police officer places an Indian national flag over the coffin of Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar during his funeral in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (Kunal Patil/Pool photo via AP)

Actor Shahrukh Khan, right, consoles Saira Banu as she mourns death of her husband and Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar at their residence in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (Kunal Patil/Pool photo via AP)

Saira Banu, second right, mourns the death of her husband and Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98. (Kunal Patil/Pool photo via AP)

• Copy Link copied

NEW DELHI (AP) — Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar, hailed as the “Tragedy King” and one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, died Wednesday in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 98.

The “Tragedy King” title came from Kumar’s numerous serious roles. In several, his character died as a frustrated lover and a drunkard. He also was known as Bollywood’s only Method actor for his expressive performances identifying a character’s emotions.

Kumar was hospitalized twice last month after he complained of breathlessness, and his family tweeted “with a heavy heart and profound grief” the announcement of his passing.

“Dilip Kumar will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet.

“An institution has gone,” Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan tweeted. “Whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written, it shall always be ‘before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar’ ..”

Kumar’s body, draped in the Indian flag, was accorded a state funeral led by a police band. He was buried in a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai city.

Major Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, visited Kumar’s residence to pay their respects.

“It’s the end of an era,” filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said.

Kumar was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan, a Muslim, on Dec. 11, 1922. His Pathan family hailed from Peshawar, in what became Pakistan after the Partition, and he visited his ancestral home in the late 1980s.

Kumar was hugely popular among cinema lovers in Pakistan as well. In 1998, he was awarded the “Nishan-e-Imtiaz,” Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, becoming the only Indian citizen to receive it.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was saddened to learn of Kumar’s death. “For my generation, Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor,’’ he tweeted.

Khan also recalled Kumar’s generosity in helping to raise funds in Pakistan and London for a trust to set up cancer hospitals in his mother’s memory.

He changed his name as he debuted in Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry centered in Mumbai, with “Jwar Bhata,” or “Sea Tides,” in 1944.

Kumar’s career spanned over six decades with over 60 films. His first major box-office hits were “Jugnu,” or “Firefly,” in 1947 in which he starred alongside Noor Jehan, and the 1948 film “Shaheed,” or ”Martyr.”

He played a variety of characters — a romantic hero in “Andaz,” a swashbuckler in “Aan,” a dramatic drunkard in “Devdas,” a comic role in “Azaad.” But his portrayal of a Muslim prince in the historical epic “Mughal-e-Azam” cemented his popularity among the masses and catapulted Indian cinema to the world stage.

Mehboob Khan’s blockbuster “Aan” in 1952 was his first film in Technicolor and was among a string of light-hearted roles he took at the suggestion of his psychiatrist to shed his “Tragedy King” image.

He starred in many social drama films like “Footpath”, “Naya Daur” (“New Era”), “Musafir” (“Traveller”) and “Paigham” (“Message”) in 1950s.

His top female co-stars included Madhubala, Nargis, Nimmi, Meena Kumari, Kamini Kaushal and Vyjanthimala.

In 1966, Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu, who was 22 years younger than him, and the couple acted in “Gopi,” “Sagina Mahato” and “Bairaag.” They had no children.

In 1961, he produced and starred in “Ganga Jamuna” in which he and his brother Nasir Khan played the title roles. It was the only film he produced. Indian media reports say he declined the role of Sherif Ali in David Lean’s “Lawrence of Arabia” in 1962. The role went to Egyptian actor Omar Sharif.

He took a break in the late ‘70s but returned with a character role in the successful “Kranti,” or “Revolution” in 1981. He continued playing key roles in films such as “Shakti,” “Karma” and “Saudagar.” His last film was “Qila” (“Fort”) in 1998.

In 1994, he was given the “Dadasaheb Phalke” award, the highest honor for contributions to Indian cinema. He also served in the upper house of Indian Parliament after being nominated for a six-year term.

Kumar is survived by his wife, actor Saira Banu.

• India Today
• Business Today
• Harper's Bazaar
• Brides Today
• Cosmopolitan
• India Today Hindi
• Reader’s Digest
• Aaj Tak Campus

Download App

Dilip Kumar dies at 98: Iconic characters

Dilip kumar passed away today at the age of 98 in mumbai. we remember the legendary actor through his most iconic roles..

Listen to Story

July 7, Wednesday, India woke up to the news of legendary actor Dilip Kumar passing away. He was 98 and had been diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion. He had been in and out of the hospital, in the last month itself, he had been admitted to Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital twice. As fans of the veteran actor, we stayed glued to his official Twitter handle for updates on his health, hoping to read 'Saab is fine, doing well; and 'remember him in your duas'. A couple of days ago, Saira Banu's calm assurance that he is fine, was something we clutched onto. Until on July 7, when news of Dilip Kumar's demise came trickling in. An end of an era, no less. Dilip Kumar Saab was no more.

In a career spanning six decades, 58 to be exact, Dilip Kumar has given us legendary films, cults if Hindi cinema remembered both for his stellar performance as well as the genre-defying narratives. Think Mughal-e-Azam (1960), where Dilip Kumar as Salim gave us perhaps Hindi cinema's greatest performances, along with the story of a simple woman at its core - Madhubala's Anarkali. Or Ram Aur Shyam in 1967, where Dilip Saab played a double role and floored us with his impeccable comic timing. Or Devdas in the 1955 film, a story that has been reimagined in Hindi cinema several times, but only a few come close to what Dilip Saab had achieved. The list is endless, but we will try to remember the legend through his most iconic roles.

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

Dilip kumar, indian acting icon dubbed the “tragedy king,” dies at 98.

Credited with bringing method acting to Indian cinema, he starred in several classic films including 'Andaz,' 'Daag,' 'Devdas,' 'Azaad,' 'Mughal-e-Azam' and many more.

By Abid Rahman

Abid Rahman

International Editor, Digital

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Send an Email
• Show additional share options
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Tumblr
• Share on Whats App
• Print the Article
• Post a Comment

Dilip Kumar, the Indian acting icon who was credited with bringing realism and the method style into Hindi cinema and was widely known as the “Tragedy King,” has died. He was 98.

Local news reports, citing Kumar’s family and doctor, say he died on Wednesday morning at a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness.

In a career that spanned five decades, Kumar is widely regarded as the finest actor India has ever produced. Starring in some of the all-time classic films of Indian cinema, Kumar’s versatility and command of his craft allowed him to excel across genres.

Some of his best-known films include Aan , Daag , Devdas , Madhumati , Azaad , Mughal-e-Azam , Gunga Jamuna , Kranti , Karma and  Ram Aur Shyam . He was awarded the inaugural Filmfare Award for best actor in 1954 and is tied with Shah Rukh Khan for most wins at eight.

Related Stories

Jody frisch, former wga and sag-aftra communications executive, dies at 68, phil donahue, pioneering talk show host, dies at 88.

Hugely influential, his style directly inspired the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. His overarching importance to his craft and enduring popularity led to him being retrospectively dubbed the “First Khan of Bollywood” among film fans.

Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on Dec. 11, 1922, in Peshawar, which was then part of British India and is now part of Pakistan, Kumar was one of 12 children of a fruit seller. His early years saw him lead something of a peripatetic life until he found himself in Mumbai in the 1940s. A chance encounter led to him meeting Devika Rani the owner of the Bombay Talkies movie studio and she gave him his stage name and signed him up as a contract star, despite his lack of acting experience and training. Rani cast him as the lead in the drama Jwaar Bhata (1944) which didn’t get much attention. His third film Milan (1946), based on the novel Nauka Dubi but Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore, saw him work with director Nitin Bose who was a great influence and taught him to act in the more natural and realistic style for which he became known.

The late 1940s and early 1950s saw Kumar take on a number of tragic roles, which cemented his legacy as the “Tragedy King” in the public’s imagination. Self-trained in the method style years before the likes of Marlon Brando and Warren Beatty made their mark, he so thoroughly immersed himself in tragic roles that he became depressed and famously visited a psychiatrist who recommended he take on lighter comedic parts to lift his gloom.

His notable films from the period include the romantic drama Daag , for which he won the inaugural Filmfare best actor award in 1954, the lush musical Aan , India’s first technicolor film, and Andaz , a film he starred opposite his friend and rival Raj Kapoor and Insaniyat in which he co-starred with Dev Anand.

Kumar, Kapoor and Anand together would dominate Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, but Kumar stood out for his less mannered style and his tendency to inhabit roles, nailing accents and dialects and taking on a greater range of roles.

In his peak years, he was often paired with several leading ladies including Nur Jahan, Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant and Nutan.

In 1960, Kumar starred as Prince Salim in the historical Mughal-e-Azam , which for many years was the highest-grossing Indian film. The following year he showed off his range by starring as the rural bandit Ganga in Ganga Jumna. Around this time, David Lean offered him the part of Sherif Ali in Lawrence of Arabia but he turned it down, with the part going to Omar Sharif.

After the success of dramedy Ram Aur Shyam and drama Aadmi , his career went into a comparative fallow period that lasted for much of the 1970s and included a self-enforced hiatus. He made a roaring comeback in 1981’s Kranti , a star-packed historical drama and had a handful of other hits during the decade, often taking support roles but it was clear his acting career was winding down.

In 1993, he was awarded Filmfare’s lifetime achievement award and his final film role came in 1998 with Qila.

He was cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Indian actor with a record number of awards. He was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994, India’s highest award in the field of cinema. He also received the Padma Vibhushan in 1991, India’s second-highest civilian award. Notably, he was awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, in 1997, which caused some controversy at home.

He is survived by his wife the actress Saira Banu. The couple married in 1966 and starred together in the films Gopi , Sagina Mahato and Bairaag . They had no children.

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Box office: ‘deadpool & wolverine’ back on top as ‘blink twice’ struggles and ‘the crow’ collapses, ryan reynolds on why rob mcelhenney’s ‘deadpool & wolverine’ cameo got cut: “sometimes have to kill your darlings”, how to watch the ‘halloween’ movies in order, denzel washington says “there are very few films left for me to make that i’m interested in”, jason momoa, dave bautista action comedy ‘the wrecking crew’ adds temuera morrison, jacob batalon (exclusive), ‘fantastic beasts’ actor dan fogler to play ‘batman’ producer michael uslan in stage play (exclusive).

Dilip Kumar death: star dies aged 98 as Bollywood mourns loss of 'cinematic legend'

Prime minister narendra modi and other famous actors were quick to pay tribute to the acting 'legend'.

07 July, 2021

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on WhatsApp