“Dilip Kumar : born Muhammad Yusuf Khan, was a legendary Bollywood actor with a career spanning decades, known for versatile and impactful performances.”
Born Name : Mohammed Yusuf Khan
Born : 11 December 1922
Place : Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India
(present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Died : 7 July 2021 (aged 98)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Resting place : Juhu Qabrastan, Mumbai
Nationality :
British Indian (1922–1947)
Indian (1947–2021)
Other names :
Tragedy King : Abhinay Samrat
The First Khan : Dilip Sahab
Occupations :
Actor : Film Producer
Years active : 1944–1999
Spouses :
Saira Banu (m. 1966)
Asma Rehman (m. 1981; div. 1983)
Relatives :
Brother : Nasir Khan
Sister-in-law : Begum Para
Nephew : Ayub Khan
Mother-in-law : Naseem Banu
Awards :
Film fare Award for Best Actor (8 times)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1994)
Honours :
Padma Bhushan (1991)
Nishan-E-Imtiaz (1998)
About
Dilip Kumar, born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, and bidding farewell to the world on July 7, 2021, was a true legend in Indian cinema. We often called him the “Abhinay Samrat,” the Emperor of Acting, for good reason.
His journey in the world of films kicked off with Jwar Bhata in 1944, and from there, he swiftly climbed the ladder of success with hits like Jugnu (1947), Andaz (1949), and the unforgettable Mughal-E-Azam (1960). Did you know he holds the record for the most Filmfare Award wins for Best Actor? That’s eight awards, a feat later matched only by Shah Rukh Khan.
Despite gracing the silver screen for over five decades, Dilip Kumar starred in fewer than 60 films, showcasing his versatility in each role. The ’70s threw some curveballs his way with movies like Dastaan (1972), Sagina (1974), and Bairaag (1976), but he bounced back with the 1981 hit Kranti.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar served in the Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006. His personal life, including a significant relationship with Madhubala and later marriage to Saira Banu, was often the talk of the town. Surprisingly, despite his celebrity status, Kumar preferred to keep a low profile and steered clear of endorsements.
In recognition of his immense contributions to Indian cinema, the government honored him with the Padma Bhushan (1991) and Padma Vibhushan (2015), not to mention the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. Pakistan even recognized his greatness, conferring upon him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998, making him the only Indian to receive this honor.
And guess what? The house where Dilip Kumar grew up in Peshawar was declared a national heritage monument in 2014 by the Pakistani government. Now, that’s a lasting tribute to a true cinematic icon.
Career
1940s: First film roles and Initial success
Dilip Kumar’s cinematic journey kicked off with the 1944 release, Jwar Bhata, but it didn’t catch the audience’s attention. After facing setbacks with two more films, his luck turned around with Jugnu (1947), his fourth project, where he starred alongside Noor Jehan. Jugnu, along with the 1948 releases Shaheed and Mela, became major hits, dominating the box office and earning the title of highest-grossing Hindi films in their respective release years.
The breakthrough for Dilip Kumar came in 1949 with Mehboob Khan’s Andaz, where he shared the screen with Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Andaz not only became a major hit but also claimed the title of the highest-grossing Indian film of its time.
This record, however, was later surpassed by Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat in the same year. Additionally, Shabnam also contributed to Kumar’s success during this period. A memorable moment from this era is the iconic image of Dilip Kumar alongside actors Raj Kapoor and Nargis in Andaz (1949).
1950s: Breakthrough years
Picture the 1950s, and you’ll find Dilip Kumar owning the silver screen with a string of blockbuster hits. Movies like Jogan (1950), Babul (1950), Deedar (1951), Tarana (1951), Daag (1952), Aan (1952), Uran Khatola (1955), Insaniyat (1955), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Yahudi (1958), Madhumati (1958), and Paigham (1959) .
Not only showcased his acting prowess but also became iconic in their own right. And let’s not forget the magic he created with leading ladies like Vyjayanthimala, Madhubala, Nargis, Nimmi, Meena Kumari, and Kamini Kaushal.
They called him the “Tragedy King” for his poignant roles, but did you know that this led him to a brief encounter with depression? Acting on the advice of his psychiatrist, he decided to sprinkle some light-hearted roles into his repertoire. Enter Mehboob Khan’s Aan (1952).
The fun didn’t stop there. Kumar continued to charm audiences with lighter roles, like playing a mischievous thief in the hit comedy Azaad (1955).
And in 1957, he showcased his versatility in Musafir, an anthology film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, even trying his hand at playback singing alongside Lata Mangeshkar.
1960s: Mughal-e-Azam and venture into production
In 1960, Dilip Kumar stepped into the shoes of Prince Salim in K. Asif’s monumental historical epic, Mughal-e-Azam. The film reigned as the highest-grossing Indian cinema gem for an astounding 15 years until Sholay claimed the throne in 1975.
The following year, 1961, marked Kumar’s foray into writing, producing, and starring in Ganga Jamuna, a dacoit drama featuring his brother Nasir Khan. Despite being the highest-grossing film of the year, it stood as Kumar’s lone venture as a producer.
In 1962, David Lean, the renowned British director, offered Kumar a role in Lawrence of Arabia, a gesture Kumar graciously declined. The role eventually went to Omar Sharif, and Kumar later acknowledged Sharif’s superior performance.
After a three-year hiatus, Kumar returned with Leader (1964), where his involvement extended to crafting the story. However, it failed to create a box office buzz. His next venture, Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966), a Wuthering Heights adaptation, marked Kumar’s first box office hiccup in over a decade.
1970s: Career slump
In 1970, Dilip Kumar starred alongside his wife Saira Banu in Gopi, marking their first collaboration and a notable box office success. The same year, he joined Banu in the Bengali film Sagina Mahato, representing his only venture into Bengali cinema.
The following year, in 1972, Kumar took on dual roles as twin brothers in Dastaan, a film that faced a box office setback, signaling a decline in his career as a leading man. This decline continued with the Hindi remake of Sagina Mahato, titled Sagina (1974).
Where both Kumar and Banu reprised their roles without making a significant impact. In 1976, Kumar embraced the challenge of portraying triple roles as a father and twin sons in Bairaag. While his performance received acclaim, the film itself marked his third consecutive box office disappointment.
Despite acknowledging the superior performance of M. G. Ramachandran in Enga Veettu Pillai, Kumar held his portrayal in Bairaag in high regard. The rise of actors like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sanjeev Kumar during the 1970s resulted in a decline in film offers for Kumar from 1970 to 1980. In response, he chose to take a five-year hiatus from films, returning in 1981.
1980s: Return to success
In 1981, Dilip Kumar made a powerful comeback to the big screen, but this time, he decided to embrace the wisdom of age by taking on elderly character roles.
His return was marked by the historical epic Kranti, a star-studded affair featuring Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, and Shatrughan Sinha. Dilip Kumar played the title role, portraying a revolutionary fighting for India’s independence from British rule. And guess what? It turned out to be the biggest hit of the year.
After the success of Kranti, there was no stopping him. Dilip Kumar transformed himself into the “Angry Old Man” for a series of films, and he nailed it. Vidhaata (1982), where he joined forces with Sanjay Dutt, Sanjeev Kumar, and Shammi Kapoor, became the top-grossing film of the year.
Then came Shakti (1982) alongside none other than Amitabh Bachchan. Although it was an average grosser at the box office, it earned him critical acclaim and his eighth and final Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
The ’80s continued to showcase his versatility. In 1984, he took on Yash Chopra’s social crime drama Mashaal opposite Anil Kapoor. While the film didn’t quite hit the jackpot at the box office, Dilip Kumar’s performance was lauded by critics.
He also shared the screen with Rishi Kapoor in Duniya (1984) and with Jeetendra in Dharm Adhikari (1986).
A special mention goes to his collaboration with Subhash Ghai in Karma (1986), an ensemble action film. It was not just any film; it marked his first on-screen pairing with the talented Nutan. Interestingly, they had collaborated on an incomplete and unreleased film titled Shikwa back in the 1950s. Dilip Kumar and Nutan teamed up once again in 1989 for the action-packed Kanoon Apna Apna, a delightful reunion with Sanjay Dutt. Talk about making a memorable comeback.
Personal life
Let’s explore Dilip Kumar’s personal life! The sparks between him and Madhubala ignited during the making of Tarana in 1951. Their love story lasted for seven years until the Naya Daur court case, where Kumar testified against Madhubala and her father, ending their on and off-screen connection.
Interestingly, Kumar set the record straight in his autobiography, admitting he was attracted to Madhubala as a co-star and for having some qualities he admired in a woman at that time.
Then came the late ’50s, and gossip magazines were buzzing with rumors about Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. They were a popular on-screen pair, and people couldn’t help but speculate about their off-screen chemistry. Rumor has it that while working on Gunga Jumna in 1961, Kumar even handpicked the shades of sarees Vyjayanthimala would wear in each scene.
In 1966, Kumar tied the knot with Saira Banu, who happened to be 22 years younger. A decade later, he entered a second marriage with Asma Rahman, but that chapter closed in 1983. Saira Banu and Kumar lived in Bandra, and despite their deep connection, they faced the heartbreak of a miscarriage in 1972. They chose to embrace it as fate and didn’t attempt to have children again.
Dilip Kumar was a linguistic maestro, fluent in numerous languages, from his native Hindko to Urdu, Hindi, and even Bhojpuri and Awadhi dialects. He was not just a versatile actor but also a music enthusiast who even learned to play the sitar for a film. Cricket was another one of his passions, leading a cricket team against Raj Kapoor for a charity match. Did you know that Dilip Kumar and his family shared a close bond with the Kapoor family, both in Peshawar and Bombay?
His younger brother Nasir Khan also ventured into the film industry as an actor. Tragically, in 2020, two of his younger brothers, Aslam Khan and Ehsan Khan, succumbed to COVID-19 within two weeks of each other. Life is full of twists and turns, even for legendary actors like Dilip Kumar.
Awards and Honours :
Dilip Kumar received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Here are some of the key accolades:
- Filmfare Awards: Dilip Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor eight times, a record he held for the longest time until it was equaled by Shah Rukh Khan. His wins include films like Daag, Devdas, and Shakti.
- Padma Bhushan: The Government of India honored Dilip Kumar with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award, in 1991.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award: In 1994, Dilip Kumar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor in Indian cinema, for his exceptional contribution.
- Padma Vibhushan: In 2015, he was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, in recognition of his distinguished service in the field of arts and cinema.
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz: The Government of Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian decoration, making him the only Indian to receive this honor.
- National Film Award: Dilip Kumar’s film Gunga Jumna (1961) received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
- Other Honors: Dilip Kumar was honored with the Paul Revere Silver Bowl at the Boston International Film Festival, the Special Honour Diploma from the Czechoslovak Academy of Arts in Prague, and the Special Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for his film Ganga Jamuna (1961).
These awards and honors stand as a testament to Dilip Kumar’s remarkable career and his lasting impact on Indian cinema.
