The Thespian of Indian cinema, legendary Dilip Kumar, 98,
took his last breath at the PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai on July 7th, 2021 at
7:30 am. He passed away after prolonged age related health issues. Recently,
the news has come after Dilip Sahab was hospitalised following episodes of
breathlessness. Dr Jalil Parkar, who was treating him confirmed the news.
The Ram Aur Shyam star Dilip Kumar's Twitter handle, which
was being managed by a family friend Faisal Farooqui, also confirmed the
actor's demise. "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," Farooqui tweeted.
A media agency tweet read, "Veteran actor Dilip Kumar
passes away at the age of 98, says Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating
the actor at Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital."
Kumar debuted as an actor in the film Jwar Bhata (1944),
produced by Bombay Talkies. In a career spanning over five decades, Kumar
worked in over 65 films. Kumar is known for roles in films such as the romantic
Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the social drama Daag (1952), the
dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), the epic historical
Mughal-e-Azam (1960), the social dacoit crime drama Gunga Jamuna (1961), and
the comedy Ram Aur Shyam (1967). He is famous as the Tragedy King due to the
portrayal of a broken lover in numerous movies through the 1950s, including the
Bimal Roy classic, Devdas in 1955.
Among the other iconic roles, the most memorable one for
Dilip Kumar is the historic portrayal of Prince Salim in Mughal-E-Azam, which
proved to be the greatest tale of romance upon its release. The talented Dilip
Kumar has motivated a generation of actors, including the likes of Amitabh
Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
Dilip Kumar’s last on-screen appearance was in 1998 in the
Umesh Mehra directed Qila, which featured him in a double role. Before Qila was
Subhash Ghai’s Saudagar (1990), which emerged a smash hit at the box-office. Referred
to as the "Tragedy King" and "The First Khan", he has been
credited for bringing a distinct form of method acting technique to cinema.
Kumar holds the record for most wins for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and
was also the inaugural recipient of the award.
As soon as the news of his demise came in, Bollywood joined
in mourning the loss of the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema. Akshay Kumar, Ajay
Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Manoj Bajpayee, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor,
Ishaan Khatter, Vicky Kaushal, Ananya Panday, Huma Qureshi, Hansal Mehta and
many others took to social media to remember the legend. Karan Johar, Katrina
Kaif, Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur also expressed grief as
they mourned the loss of the thespian.
Taking to his Twitter handle, Akshay Kumar wrote, "To
the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar
Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him. My thoughts and
prayers are with his family. Om Shanti."
On the other hand, Ajay Devgn wrote, "Shared many
moments with the legend...some very personal, some on stage. Yet, nothing
really prepared me for his passing away. An institution, a timeless actor.
Heartbroken. Deepest condolences to Sairaji."
Big B took to Twitter to express how the history of Indian
cinema is related with the renowned actor. He wrote, "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." Manoj Bajpayee wrote, "No One like you !!! Have a great
Journey from here on Master ….सादर
नमन Rest in Peace." Ananya Panday, Kiara
Advani, Zoya Akhtar took to Instagram stories to express grief over the
legend's demise. Kareena shared a photo of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor together
to remember him. Shahid Kapoor paid a heartfelt tribute with a note. He wrote,
"We are all nothing but versions of you Dilip Saab. Every actor has
studied you in awe. Wondering how you did it all. You were as close to PERFECT
as it can get. As you return to your spiritual home. The prayers of millions
are with you. Thank you for giving us all you did. And sharing your enlightened
soul with us through all your breathtaking performances. You will live on
forever sir. You are TIMELESS. Rest in peace."
Vicky Kaushal recalled Dilip Saab and wrote, "Every
head must bow, every tongue must confess that he’s the greatest of all time.”
.Rest in Peace. #DilipKumarSaab." Farah Khan Kunder also took to social
media to remember the well-known actor. She wrote, "I was all of 4 yrs old
when i saw my first stampede.. #dilipkumar walked into a wedding reception..
there was hysteria.. women thronged to see him, the bridal couples stage
broke!! Such was the magic! He was known as the tragedy king, but i was always
a fan of his comedic timing.. there will be no1 like him .. deepest condolences
to #sairaji n his family." Rajkummar Rao, John Abraham also joined in
other Bollywood stars to remember 'Dilip Saab' and his contribution to Indian
cinema.
The senior actor's demise has not just left Bollywood
shocked. It has also affected millions of fans across the globe. Numerous fans
and celebs are paying emotional tributes to the legendary actor as they bid him
adieu on social media.
Now, as per reports, Dilip Kumar's funeral would be held
with full state honours in Mumbai on Wednesday, July 7. His Twitter handle also
shared the news with followers.
On Dilip Kumar's Twitter handle, his family tweeted,
"Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai." As per
a popular paparazzi's handle, Dilip Kumar would be laid to rest with full state
honour at 5 PM today in Mumbai. Earlier, photos of Saira Banu leaving the
hospital with Dilip Kumar's mortal remains came in. Fans of the actor gathered
outside the hospital and police had to intervene to clear roads for the
ambulance to pass.
As per the recent update, the legendary star has been given
full state honours wherein he was draped in tricolour. The jawans of
Maharashtra police had gathered at Dilip Kumar’s residence to give him full
state honour. Besides, the late actor’s friends and family had also gathered at
his residence to pay their last respects ahead of the funeral. Dilip Kumar’s
wife Saira Banu was also papped at the residence who has been inconsolable post
the actor’s demise.
Our prayers with the family and may his soul rest in peace.