Dilip Kumar, India’s enduring film legend and Bollywood veteran actor through the decades, died at a Mumbai hospital today after prolonged illness, his family and doctors treating him said. He was 98.
Dilip Kumar also known as ‘tragedy king’ for his portrayal in classics “Mughal-e-Azam” and “Devdas“, is survived by his wife Saira Banu.
The last rites will be held at 5 pm at Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz Mumbai, as per the post from his Twitter handle.
Dilip Kumar, had been admitted to the Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 facility in Khar, since last Tuesday.
“He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am,” Dr Jalil Parkar, who had been treating Dilip Kumar told to media agency.
“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,” family friend Faisal Farooqui posted from the actor’s Twitter handle at 8.01 am.
The Hindi cinema veteran, the last of the golden troika with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, was admitted to hospital last month following episodes of breathlessness.
Dilip Kumar, born Yousuf Khan in Peshawar on December 11, 1922, was diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion, a build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs, and underwent a successful pleural aspiration procedure. He was discharged after five days only to be admitted to the hospital again.
Condolence messages for the much loved star, whose death truly epitomised the end of an era, poured in from all quarters with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joining political leaders, the film fraternity and others to express their grief.
“Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent…Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India,” the President said.
The Prime Minister said Dilip Kumar would 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,” PM Modi said on Twitter.
Amitabh Bachchan, who co-starred with him in “Shakti”, send 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 (prayer) for peace of his soul and the strength to the family to bear this loss… Deeply saddened.”
