Dilip Kumar Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Dilip Kumar

Starting his career in British India, appearing in Bollywood’s some of the blockbusters, the Tragedy King, Dilip Kumar was an Indian film institution himself. Working more than six decades, Dilip Kumar had seen the Indian Cinema change. The winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke award, Dilip Kumar portrayed every sort of role in his long acting career..

Biography/Wiki

Muhammad Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar was born on 11 December 1922 (age 98 years; at the time of death) in a Muslim family in Peshawar, (Now in Pakistan) British India. His father was a fruit merchant, who owned an orchard in Peshawar. For his primary education, Muhammad Yusuf Khan was sent to Nasik, Maharashtra where he became a close friend of another would-be Bollywood star, Raj Kapoor.

Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor

Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor

In 1940, when he was only 18 years old, he fled to Poona (Modern day, Pune, Maharashtra) after an argument with his father. On the merit of good English speaking and writing skills, he managed to get a job.

Childhood photo of Dilip Kumar

Childhood photo of Dilip Kumar

He set up a sandwich stall at Army Club in Pune. when the contract ended, he shifted to Mumbai with the saving of ₹5000. In 1942, he met Dr. Masani who took him to Bombay Talkies in Malad where he met actress Devika Rani, owner of Bombay Talkies. Devika Rani asked him to sign up with Bombay Talkies with the salary of ₹1250/month. It was Devika Rani who requested him to change his name to Dilip Kumar.

Dilip Kumar and Devika Rani

Dilip Kumar and Devika Rani

Later, he met actor Ashok Kumar, who influenced his acting style and told him to act natural.

Dilip Kumar with Ashok Kumar

Dilip Kumar with Ashok Kumar

Family

Dilip Kumar was born to Lala Ghulam Sarwar and Ayesha Begum.

Dilip Kumar with his mother

Dilip Kumar with his mother

Dilip Kumar lived in a small house in Peshawar, Pakistan with his 11 siblings.

Dilip Kumar's house in Peshawar

Dilip Kumar’s house in Peshawar

He had five brothers: Nasir Khan (Younger, Film Actor), Ehsan Khan, Aslam Khan, Noor Mohammed, and Ayub Sarwar. Dilip Kumar had six sisters: Fauzia Khan, Sakina Khan, Taj Khan, Farida Khan, Saeeda Khan, and Akhtar Asif; Saeeda Khan passed away on 24 September 2023 due to prolonged illness. [1]The Times of India

Saira Banu with Dilip Kumar's sisters

Saira Banu with Dilip Kumar’s sisters

He got married to film actress Saira Banu on 11 October 1966.

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu's marriage photo

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu’s marriage photo

In 1980, he got married to Asma Rehman.

Dilip Kumar with Asma Rehman

Dilip Kumar with Asma Rehman

He has no child.

Career

Dilip Kumar made his debut in 1944 from the film Jwar Bhata. In 1949, he got his breakthrough from Mehboob Khan’s directed, Andaz. During the 1950s, he worked in several films such as Babul (1950), Jogan (1950), Deedar (1951), Hulchul, (1951), Daag (1952), Shikast (1953), Amar (1954), Insaniyat (1955), Uran Khatola (1955), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Madhumati (1958), Yahudi (1958), etc.

Dilip Kumar made his debut from Jwar Bhata

Dilip Kumar made his debut from Jwar Bhata

In 1960, he portrayed the role of ‘Prince Salim‘ in K. Asif’s high-budget historical film, Mughal-e-Azam which was the highest grossing film in the Indian Cinema for the next 11 years until it was surpassed by film Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) and later by the film Sholay (1975).

In 1991, he did Saudagar, alongside fellow veteran actor Raaj Kumar. This film was his last box-office success.

In 1998, he worked on his last film, Qila which was a flop at the box office.

Relationships & More

During his initial days in Bollywood, he was hooked up with Kamini Kaushal, a former actress.

Dilip Kumar with his ex girlfriend Kamini Kaushal

Dilip Kumar with his ex-girlfriend Kamini Kaushal

But, later, his pair with Madhubala (Actress) became very popular. During the filming of the movie Tarana (1951), Dilip Kumar fell in love with Madhubala. They dated each other for seven years until Dilip Kumar stood by BR Chopra against Madhubala.

He married actress, Saira Banu in 1966 who was 22 years younger than him.

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

In 1980, he got married to Hyderabad socialite Asma Sahiba, but the marriage did not last for long and ended in January 1983.

Awards/Honours/Achievements

Dilip Kumar held the Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian Actor. He won 8 Filmfare awards for the best actor and one Lifetime Achievement award. In 1980, he was appointed the Sheriff of Mumbai (An Honorary Position). In 1991, the then Indian government honoured him with the Padma Bhushan. He was bestowed upon the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994.

Dilip Kumar receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Dilip Kumar receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award

In 1997, the government of Andhra Pradesh honoured him with NTR National Award.

Dilip Kumar receiving Padma Vibhushan by the Cabinet Minister Rajnath Singh

Dilip Kumar receiving Padma Vibhushan by the Cabinet Minister Rajnath Singh

Net Worth

He has a net worth of $85 million.

Death

On the morning of 7 July 2021, Dilip Kumar passed away at the age of 98 at Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital. [2]The Indian Express The actor had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathlessness on 30 June 2021.

Later, it was announced through the actor’s official Twitter handle that the burial would take place at Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz, Mumbai at 5:00 PM on 7 July 2021.

Interesting Facts

  • Dilip Kumar had a very close friendship with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

    Dilip Kumar with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor

    Dilip Kumar with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor

  • His first anti-hero role was in Mehboob Khan’s Amar (1954).
  • In order to shed his image as “Tragedy King” once, a psychiatrist advised him to take lighthearted roles.
  • In 1961, he produced one and last film of his career- Ganga Jamuna in which his younger brother- Nasir Khan also acted alongside him.
  • In 1962, a British director, David Lean offered him a role in a British Film– Lawrence of Arabia, which he declined.
  • In 1970, he starred alongside his wife Saira Banu for the first time in the film, Gopi.

    Dilip Kumar starred in Gopi with his wife Saira Banu

    Dilip Kumar starred in Gopi with his wife Saira Banu

  • In 1997, Dilip Kumar was honoured with ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz‘ (highest civilian award in Pakistan) by the Government of Pakistan.
  • Between 2000 and 2006, he was the Member of Rajya Sabha on the Congress’ ticket.
  • In 2011, on his 89th birthday, he launched his Twitter account.
  • In 2013, he went to a pilgrimage, to Mecca along with his wife.

References[+]

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