Saira Banu was teary eyed at husband Dilip Kumar's funeral. (Photos: Varinder Chawla)Thespian Dilip Kumar’s death on Wednesday has left the entire Indian film fraternity shocked and in mourning. The legendary actor who passed away at the age of 98 has left a void in cinema and a huge body of work behind, for future filmmakers and actors to learn from. The actor was laid to rest at Juhu Qabarastan in Mumbai with full state honours on Wednesday evening.
Popularly known as the ‘Tragedy King’ of Bollywood, Kumar was known as a method actor who was never limited to genres. In a career spanning more than five decades, the prolific legend was part of comedies, dramas, romance, and so on.
Some of his best known films include Aan, Daag, Devdas, Madhumati, Azaad, Mughal-e-Azam, Gunga Jamuna, Kranti, Karma, Ram Aur Shyam, among others.
Dilip Kumar also possessed the distinction of being the only Indian recipient of Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Imtiaz.
For his contribution to cinema, Dilip Kumar was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in the artform. He also received the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of the country.
Along with Shah Rukh Khan, he held the record for winning the most Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor category: 8. He also won the inaugural trophy in the same category in 1954.
Personalities from cinema, politics and sports paid tributes to Dilip Kumar. Here are all the wishes and obituaries pouring in for the icon.
Dilip Kumar was accorded a state funeral on Wednesday.
Saira Banu expressed gratitude towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending his tributes to Dilip Kumar.
Banu used Kumar's official Twitter handle and replied to the PM's tweet.
Priyanka Chopra remembered Dilip Kumar with an emotional note that started with a quote from his film Saudagar. She wrote that the icon lived his life with his head held high. Read more here
Aamir Khan posted his tribute via the Instagram page of his production house.
Fans in Bhopal hold candles to pay homage to Dilip Kumar on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)
Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Subhash Ghai and others were present at Dilip Kumar's funeral.
See all photos here
Residents of Peshawar, Pakistan remember Dilip Kumar.
Sayyeshaa shared a note on Twitter that read, "I’m blessed to have spent so much of my childhood with the legend who the world knows as #DilipKumar For me he will always remain my warm hearted Phuponana, with whom I sang and danced, learnt so much from and loved to bits! It’s an end of an era! RIP."
Abhishek Bachchan shared a note remembering Dilip Kumar.
Devika Rani told Dilip Kumar that she foresaw a long and successful career for him in films and it made good sense to have a screen identity that would “stand up by itself and have a secular appeal”. READ MORE
Acting was never the first choice for Dilip Kumar, he turned down Pyaasa and Lawrence of Arabia: Here are 15 surprising facts about the man who shaped Indian cinema. READ HERE
"When I came to the industry, there were three major stars — Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar. While both Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand also directed and produced films, Yusuf sahab did neither. He was a very committed actor. Everyone in the industry spoke about how seriously he took his work – from the script to the delineation of his character. According to Satyajit Ray, Dilip Kumar was the ultimate method actor. His performances are still very relevant. They haven’t aged at all with time," writes Sharmila Tagore as she remembers Dilip Kumar. READ MORE
Who was the inspiration of the one who inspired generations of actors to take the profession? It was none other than Ashok Kumar. Dilip Kumar credits Ashok Kumar for giving him the advice which went on to become a guideline for the rest of his career -- "Acting is all about not acting.”
Did you know that Dilip Kumar was offered the role of Sherif Ali in the acclaimed movie? However, Kumar turned down the role, and it went to Omar Sharif. In his autobiography, the screen legend stated that Sharif did a much better job than he ever could have.
The gifted superstar could speak Hindi, Pashto, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi, English, Bengali, Gujarati and Persian, and was also fluent in Bhojpuri and Awadhi. In fact, his Bhojpuri was so fluent in Ganga Jamuna that he had Amitabh Bachchan amazed at his skill, wondering how someone originally not from either UP or Bihar could speak the language with such proficiency. Read more here.
Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya, who was also a part of the Indian side that played in the 1984 AFC Asian Cup, recalled his meeting with Dilip Kumar. “Dilip Kumar was extremely passionate about football. On the field, when he’d come to a game as a chief guest, you don’t get to talk much. But I had met him a few times off the field as well, and he used to love to discuss the game with us,” stated Bhattacharya. Read more here.
"Farewell Dilip Kumar Saab. Just a few weeks ago my father and I spoke about you. You are someone he loves immensely. Both as an actor and as a person. He said there isn’t a more charming actor or a sweeter man than Dilip Saab. And that when you spoke your words flowed like honey. He could listen and watch you speak endlessly. In fact if you ever spotted him, whether at an event or even abroad shopping, you would always make it a point to send for him. And then you would enquire about him and give him your love and your time. You are his absolute favourite. I love you for how much my father loves you. You were his own. I struggled through this entire note to avoid writing in past tense. Farewell Dilip Saab," read the Malayalam star's full note.
He was born Mohammed Yusuf Khan but Devika Rani, who was head of the Bombay Talkies where he joined as an actor, wasn’t too happy with the name. Dilip Kumar, she thought, would be in tune with his “romantic image” which he was bound to acquire and would also have a “secular appeal”. And so Dilip Kumar it was. Read more here
"No words can describe anything about him … Thank you and blessed we are to have lived at the same time as him .. At peace may he be… #DilipKumarSaab icon and legend are not enough in terms of adjectives to describe him .. don’t even know how to type," wrote Sikander Kher as he paid tribute to the legend on his social media.
Here's a video of the Bachchans at Dilip Kumar's state funeral. (Video: Varinder Chawla)
Abhishek Bachchan was also seen along with his father Amitabh Bachchan at Dilip Kumar's funeral. (Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Amitabh Bachchan arrives to pay his respects at Dilip Kumar's funeral. (Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Sharing a lengthy post about how both his grandmother and father were big fans of Dilip Kumar, Ayushmann paid homage to the screen legend and stated, "Be it comedy, tragedy or romance, he mastered every emotion and being a linguist he presented a perfect prototype of a superstar. Thank you for everything Yusuf Saab."
Final prayers (Namaz-e-Janaza) for the late actor are being held (parallel to final rites in India) near his ancestral Haveli in Peshawar of Pakistan, one of the organizers told The Indian Express.
The actor's last rites took place at Qabaristan in Mumbai's Santazruz. (Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Here are some photos from Dilip Kumar's funeral procession as people came for one last glimpse of their idol. (Photos: Varinder Chawla)
Dilip Kumar's funeral proceedings began as the actor's mortal remains were wrapped in the Tricolour. His wife, actor Saira Banu was seen with her family members.
Salman Khan tweeted, "Best actor indian cinema has ever seen and will ever see … #RIP Dilip Saab."
Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu was seen at the actor's last rites. Kumar was accorded funeral with full state honours.
Dilip Kumar’s Qila director Umesh Mehra remembers Dilip Kumar as an actor extraordinaire who had a child-like quality about him. Qila was Kumar's last film that he did at the age of 76. READ his full interview here.
Legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s funeral is taking place with full state honours in Mumbai on Wednesday. The actor’s burial will be held at Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray declared a state funeral for the icon of Hindi cinema. READ MORE
Dilip Kumar's family friend Faisal Farooqui shared a video as Dilip Kumar's state funeral arrangements began.
Dilip Kumar, famously known as the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, spoke about how playing characters that had a tragic ending or being part of such films affected his mental well-being. In an old interview, Dilip Kumar admitted how such films affected his mental well-being, calling it as a “punishment to our nervous equipment.” READ MORE
"I have been very very fortunate enough to work with him so closely where he has practically sat down and taught me Urdu, I remember because Saira ji was attempting to be a producer and this goes back many many years ago in 1999.. and I was playing the main part in that project.. it was a beautiful show and we had shot the pilot episodes and it was an experience that I can’t ever forget where Yusuf uncle, Saira ji and Naseem Bano ji (Saira Ji’s mom) they all used to be on the set making sure everyone is taken care of properly .. it was an experience of a lifetime. I used to fondly call him Yusuf uncle, he was always there to check on my dialect and comforting me. One of the most sweetest person I have ever met! I’m blessed to have worked with the legend truly and how! And this is how I will always remember him because this is when I first fell in love with him," shared Urvashi Dholakia.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared via his Instagram account, "The Greatest in the World Of Cinema. An Institution, An Inspiration & “The Pause”. The Thespian, me & my father admired closely and had watched all his work. His craft could be felt but can never be described in words. #RestInPeaceLegend #DilipSaab."
Karan Johar came to pay his tribute to Dilip Kumar.
Karan Johar tweeted, "DILIP KUMAR SAAB set the standard for all solid actors to follow… he was a bonafide institution….. his performances are text books of nuance and celluloid screen presence…. He leaves behind a legendary legacy that will continue to inspire generations of artists …. His journey can never end because his legacy will always live on… Rest in peace Dilip Saab and thank you for being the force that you were…. That force is unmatchable and irreplaceable but forever inspirational…. Prayers to Saira aunty and the entire family…. The entire fraternity mourns the passing away of a LEGEND….???"
Aaditya Thackeray shared a photo from Dilip Kumar's house and wrote, "Paid our respects to the legend, Dilip Kumar Saheb. He will be accorded state honours today."
Ranbir Kapoor was clicked arriving at Dilip Kumar's house to pay his last respects.
Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar married on October 11 in 1966, and overcame each and every obstacle in their path. For Bollywood’s King Of Tragedy, the beginnings of their romance were nothing less than a fairytale. Saira Banu admitted, she was in love with Dilip Kumar right from the age of 12. In her earlier interview, she said, “I was not just another girl smitten by Dilip Kumar. For me, it was no castle in the air because I had given my dream the strong foundation of faith- faith in myself and faith in God.” READ MORE
Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan, and her husband Siddharth Roy Kapur, among others, were seen visiting Dilip Kumar's house to pay their respects. (Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Karisma Kapoor shared a click of 'the legendary trio' Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor.
CM Uddhav Thackeray visited legendary actor Dilip Kumar's residence in Khar, Mumbai. He came to offers condolences and was accompanied by son and tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray.
Shah Rukh Khan visited Dilip Kumar's home to pay condolences to Saira Banu.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, "Saddened to learn of Dilip Kumar's passing. I can never forget his generosity in giving his time to help raise funds for SKMTH (cancer hospital he set up in memory of his late mother) when (the) project launched. This is the most difficult time - to raise (the) first 10% of the funds & his appearance in Pak & London helped raise huge amounts. Apart from this, for my generation Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor."
Hindi cinema is synonymous with Dilip Kumar. The legendary actor embodied, embellished and shaped the biggest film industry in the world. Along with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, the other two of the famous troika, Dilip Kumar typified the modern Indian who was putting behind the shackles of colonial rule and striding towards a new, confident nation busy creating its own fate and fortune. READ MORE
Shah Rukh Khan was very close to Dilip Kumar. He once admitted that whoever copies the legendary actor 'are idiots like me'. The actor visited Saira Banu to condole the late actor's death.
Dharmendra visited Dilip Kumar's house to pay his condolences. Speaking to media stationed outside the late actor's house, Dharmendra said, “It is a very sad day today, we lost Dilip sahab, I can't say anything. He was not my friend, he was my brother.”
Amitabh Bachchan shared a picture with Dilip Kumar and wrote, "My idol Dilip Saheb .. lost .. never before never after .. “an epic era has drawn curtains .. never to happen again “ Peace and duas .. ?."
Shabana Azmi tweeted, "Adieu Dilip Saab . Unknown to you I have been your Eklavya.Thank you for the movies.Thank you for the language . Thank you for the dignity . Thank you for being socially responsible.Thank you??."
In a series of tweets, Lata Mangeshkar remembers her 'Yusuf Bhai'. She also tweeted, "Yusuf Bhai was ill for the last many years, could not recognize anyone, at such a time, Saira Bhabhi left everything and served him day and night, there was no other life for him. I bow to such a woman and pray that Yusuf Bhai's soul rest in peace."
"The legend lives on!! There is and there will always be a part of #DilipKumar Saab in every Indian actor for generations to come! His performances were like magic. Thank you Sir for those amazing moments i could spend with you! You taught me so much about life, living & acting!," tweeted Anupam Kher.
Neetu shared a beautiful archive photo of Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar and wrote, "The deep connection and love between them ??????."
Vishal Dadlani posted, "???????? ?? ?????? ????, ?? ???? ???? ????? Mere words could never describe #DilipKumar saab. ??"
Katrina Kaif posted on her Instagram account, "Legend … and the Greatest ??RIP #Dilipkumar."
Subhash Ghai shared a video on his Twitter account where he is seen in tears. He tweeted, "And era has gone. His name is #DILIPKUMAR. He Will be remembered in golden pages in the history of indian cinema for centuries to come Movie camera. RIP saheb."
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has approved state funeral for Dilip Kumar.
Sidharth Malhotra tweeted, "A Performer. An Inspiration. A Timeless Actor. ?? #DilipKumar."
Tisca Chopra tweeted, "What a glorious life, an inspiration for a million artistes, skilled at his craft before it was even a thing #DilipSahab your command on performance will stay a benchmark for actors. You live on in the hearts of everyone in your country & beyond #RIP #thespian
#alltimefavourite."