Dilip Kumar: Actor Dilip Kumar would have turned 100 today on December 11. He passed away last year in the month of July after prolonged illness. Dilip Kumar was born on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar, now in Pakistan. Born as Yusuf Khan, he changed his name to Dilip Kumar after entering the film industry.
On December 10, Film Heritage Foundation organised a two-day film festival to celebrate his birthday. Titled Dilip Kumar Hero of Heroes, the event saw some emotional moments. Saira Banu who attended the opening ceremony of the film festival, became teary-eyed when she saw a poster of the late megastar. Others who attended the festival included Farida Jalal, Asha Parikh, Waheeda Rehman, Prem Chopra, Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam Sinha, Ramesh Sippy, Divya Dutta and other celebs.
Made his debut in 1944
Dilip Kumar debuted in 1944 with the film Jwar Bhata but tasted success in 1947 with Jugnu. Before entering films he worked in the canteen of the British air force in Pune. His sandwiches were a hit among the armymen. In his autobiography, The Substance and the Shadow, the actor mentions how once in the canteen he spoke against the British and their autocratic ways.
He praised the Indians as non-violent and a hardworking lot. In the same speech he criticised the British. He also endorsed India’s freedom struggle and praised the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad. He held the British responsible for the problems that the country was facing. He says in the book that he was immediately sent to Yarwada jail where he came in contact with other ‘Satyagrahis’. He remembers how he went on strike with other inmates in support of their demands. He was released from the jail after a senior officer pursued his case.
Evergreen love story
Dilip Kumar was 44 when he married Saira Bano who was only 22. Their love story has been much written about. Saira took care of an ailing Dilip Kumar till his last days.
Dilip’s contribution to Indian cinema is invaluable. His roles in some tragic films earned him the title of Tragedy King. It is believed that he also suffered from depression because of such roles. However, he got treated for depression and recovered soon. Satyajit Ray once called him the ultimate method actor.
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In the five decades of his acting career he gave a number of super hits like Devdas, Shakti, Andaz, Amar, Naya Daur, Ram aur Shyam, to name a few. He was unforgettable as the lovesick Salim in Mughal-e-Azam, and redefined romance and intimacy for an entire generation.
His last film was Qila in 1998.
In 2015 Dilip Kumar was honoured with Padma Vibhushan. He also received Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1994.
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