Dilip Kumar : A Brief Biography And SOme UnknowN Facts
EARLY LIFE - FROM YUSUF KHAN TO DILIP KUMAR
In December of 1922, Dilip Kumar, whose real name was Muhammad Yusuf Khan, was born into a Pashtun family of 12 children in Peshawar, British India [now in Pakistan]. He was hired as an actor by Bombay Talkies, a company they owned, as he worked in a British army canteen in Bombay (now Mumbai). Jwar bhata (1944) was his acting debut.
By changing his name from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar, Writer Bhagwati Charan Varma made his first tentative steps towards stardom. The movie Jugnu, starring Noor Jehan and Ruby Myers, was released in 1947 after two flops in the box office: Jwar Bhata and Pratima. Mohd Rafi appeared, a little-known singer who eventually became one of cinema’s most famous figures.
STARDOM AS "BOLLYWOOD'S TRAGEDY KING"
Kumar Sahab’s stardom was sparked by the patriotic-themed Shaheed, which was released in 1948 after Jugnu. Andaz (“A Matter of Style”), directed by Mehboob Khan, was his first film to break into fame. He has acted in many dramatic films since then, including Deedar (1951), Daag (1952), Devdas, and Azaad (1955). His reincarnation and retribution film Madhumati, written and directed by Vyjayanthimala, was released in 1958.
In Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Dilip Kumar played Prince Salim, who fought his father, Emperor Akbar, to protect his infatuation with dancing girl Anarkali from his father. Upon completing Mughal-e-Azam, Dilip Kumar was crowned “Bollywood’s Tragedy King” and was reportedly encouraged by his director to try lighter fare, such as Aan (1952), Azaad (1955), and Kohinoor (1958), to great success. He Married actor Saira Banu on October 11, 1966. At that time, Saira Banu was 22, while Dilip Kumar was 44.
CAREER DOWNFALL & COMEBACK
Due to Rajesh Khanna’s superstardom and Amitabh Bachchan’s success as Angry Young Man, Dilip Kumar’s career suffered in the 1970s. As a result of his transition from leading to supporting roles, he appeared in Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti (1982; “Strength”) with Raaj Kumar and Manisha Koirala. Following his comeback in Bollywood with Manoj Kumar’s Kranti (1981; “Revolution”), he starred in Subhash Ghai’s Vidhaata (1982), Karma (1986), and Saudagar (1991; “Merchant”). He was also noted for his work in Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti (1991).
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS OF DILIP KUMAR
A Padma Bhushan was awarded to Dilip Kumar in 1991, the third highest civilian award in India. Kumar won a Filmfare Award for lifetime achievement in 1994 and a Dadasaheb Phalke award for cinematic excellence in India the following year. He has also won filmfare award for best actor. He was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998, Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, becoming the second Indian (after Morarji Desai) to receive it. He announced his intention to quit acting in the same year. He has won a total 3 Highest civilian awards, 1 in Pakistan and 2 in India.
Dilip Kumar served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper chamber of India’s bicameral parliament from 2000 to 2006. In December 2015, Dilip Kumar received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
DEATH - END OF AN ERA
The legendary actor Dilip Kumar died on 7 July 2021 in Mumbai, India. Dilip Kumar’s death marks the end of an era in Bollywood.
Source : wikipedia, britannica, imdb