Starting his career in British India, appearing in several Bollywood blockbusters, King of Tragedy, Dilip Kumar is an Indian film institution in his own right. Working for more than six decades, Dilip Kumar has witnessed the transformation of Indian Cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke award winner Dilip Kumar portrayed every type 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 death) into 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 close friends with another future Bollywood star, Raj Kapoor.
Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor
In 1940, when he was just 18 years old, he ran away 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 photos of Dilip Kumar
He set up a sandwich stall at the Army Club in Pune. when the contract ended, he moved to Mumbai with ₹5000 in savings. In 1942, he met Dr. It was 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 a salary of ₹1250/month. It was Devika Rani who asked him to change his name to Dilip Kumar.
Dilip Kumar and Devika Rani
Later, she met actor Ashok Kumar, who influenced her acting style and told her to act naturally.
Dilip Kumar with Ashok Kumar
Family
Dilip Kumar was born to Lala Ghulam Sarwar and Ayesha Begum.
Dilip Kumar with his mother
Dilip Kumar lives in a small house in Peshawar, Pakistan with his 11 siblings.
Dilip Kumar’s house in Peshawar
He has five brothers: Nasir Khan (Younger, Film Actor), Ehsan Khan, Aslam Khan, Noor Mohammed, and Ayub Sarwar. Dilip Kumar has six sisters: Fauzia Khan, Sakina Khan, Taj Khan, Farida Khan, Saeeda Khan, and Akhtar Asif.
Saira Banu with Dilip Kumar’s brothers
He married film actress Saira Banu on 11 October 1966.
Wedding photos of Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu
In 1980, he married Asma Rehman.
Dilip Kumar with Asma Rehman
He has no children.
Career
Dilip Kumar made his debut in 1944 from the film Jwar Bhata. In 1949, he got his breakthrough with Mehboob Khan’s Andaz. In 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), Jew (1958), etc.
Dilip Kumar made his debut from Jwar Bhata
In 1960, he played the role of ‘Prince Salim’ in K. Asif’s big budget historical film Mughal-e-Azam which was the highest grossing film in Indian Cinema for the next 11 years until it was overtaken by Haathi Mere Saathi (1971). and later by the film Sholay (1975).
In 1991, he did Saudagar, alongside veteran actor Raaj Kumar. This film was his last box-office success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydbgHcJi-rA
In 1998, he worked on his last film, Qila which failed at the box office.
Relationships & More
During his early days in Bollywood, he befriended Kamini Kaushal, a former actress.
Dilip Kumar with his ex-girlfriend Kamini Kaushal
But, later, his pairing with Madhubala (Actress) became very popular. During the filming of Tarana (1951), Dilip Kumar fell in love with Madhubala. They dated for seven years until Dilip Kumar stood by BR Chopra against Madhubala.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfYiBwz7mRU
He married actress Saira Banu in 1966 who was 22 years younger than him.
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu
In 1980, he married Hyderabad socialite Asma Sahiba, but the marriage did not last long and ended in January 1983.
Awards/Honors/Achievements
Dilip Kumar holds Guinness World Records for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian Actor. He won 8 Filmfare awards for best actor and one Lifetime Achievement award. In 1980, he was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai (Honorary Position). In 1991, the then Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan. He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994.
Dilip Kumar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
In 1997, the Andhra Pradesh government honored him with the NTR National Award.
Dilip Kumar received Padma Vibhushan by Cabinet Minister Rajnath Singh
Net worth
He has a net worth of $85 million.
Death
On the morning of July 7, 2021, Dilip Kumar died at the age of 98 at Hinduja Hospital Mumbai. The actor was hospitalized after experiencing shortness of breath on June 30, 2021.
It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved Dilip Saab, a 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 funeral will be held at Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz, Mumbai at 5:00 pm on 7 July 2021.
Funeral today at 5.00 pm. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai.
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021
Interesting fact
- Dilip Kumar had a very close friendship with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.
Dilip Kumar with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor
- His first anti-hero role was in Amar Mehboob Khan (1954).
- To shed his image as the “King of Tragedy”, a psychiatrist advised him to take on light roles.
- In 1961, he produced one and the last film in his career- Ganga Jamuna in which his younger brother- Nasir Khan also acted with him.
- In 1962, a British director, David Lean offered him a role in the British Film – Lawrence of Arabia, which he turned down.
- In 1970, he starred with his wife Saira Banu for the first time in the film, Gopi.
Dilip Kumar starred in Gopi with his wife Saira Banu
- In 1997, Dilip Kumar was honored with ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz’ (the highest civilian award in Pakistan) by the Government of Pakistan.
- Between 2000 and 2006, he was a Member of the Rajya Sabha on a Congress ticket.
- In 2011, on his 89th birthday, he launched his Twitter account.
- In 2013, he went on a pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
