Legendary actor Dilip Kumar celebrates his 93rd birthday today

LAHORE: Indian film industry’s “Tragedy King,” epitome of stardom and oldest-living actor, Dilip Kumar (real name: Muhammad Yousaf Khan), has turned 93 on Friday (today).

In Bollywood, only actress and choreographer Zohra Sehgal (April 1912 – July 2014 or 102 years), versatile playback singer Manna Dey (May 1919 -October 2013 or 94 years and five months), magnificent villian Pran Krishan Sikand (February 1920-–July 2013 or 93 years and five months) and famous character actor A. K. Hangal (February 1914 – August 2012 or about 98 years) have lived more than Dilip Kumar, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.

Since his debut as an actor in the 1944 film “Jwar Bhatta,” the Peshawar-born Dilip Kumar had joined Bombay Talkies two years earlier at a handsome monthly salary of Rs1,250.

In 1947, he had starred along side the most influential Pakistani singer, Noor Jehan alias Allah Wasai (1926-2000), in film “Jugnu.”

His younger brother Nasir Khan (1924-74) was the first Pakistani film hero, who acted in 1948 movie “Teri Yaad.”

Dilip and Nasir had done title roles in “Ganga Jamuna.”Dilip’s elder sister Akhtar Asif had tied marital knot with Karimuddin Asif (K. Asif), the man who had produced the ever-green 1960 film “Mughal-e-Azam.”

Dilip’s timeless classics include Devdas, Naya Daur, Andaaz, Aan, Madhumati, Azaad, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam, Sangharsh, Aadmi, Kranti, Shakti, Vidhaata, Mashaal and Karma etc.

“India Today” has viewed: “Dilip Kumar has done over 100 films in his career. Some of them are nuggets of pure gold that remain etched in history for their gripping story line, mellifluous songs and stellar performance by the star cast.”

A few of his movies like Dil Diya Dard Liya, Sunghursh, Aadmi, Dastaan, Gopi, Sagina, and Bairaag had also failed at the box office. In 1998, he had made his last film appearance in film “Qila.”

It would be interesting to note that most of the onscreen songs filmed on Dilip Kumar were sung by singer legend Mohammad Rafi.

Dilip Kumar was nominated as Indian National Congress Senate candidate from Maharashtra State for the 2000-2006 term.

Having had love affairs with pretty actresses Kamini Kaushal, Madhubala and Vyjanthimala, Dilip married twice lin life to Asma Rahman (married between 1980 and 82) and Saira Bano (married since 1966, when Dilip was 44 and Saira was 22).(References: Rediff.com and the India Today)

In his authobiography “The substance and the shadow,” Dilip has mentioned how he had managed to set up a sandwich stall at the Pune Army club around 1940, and when his contract ended, he had saved Rs5,000——not a small amount those days.