Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, popularly known as the tragedy king of Bollywood, died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 98.
Since Tuesday, Dilip Kumar was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 facility, after he complained of breathlessness. "He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am," Dr Jalil Parkar, who had been treating the actor, told PTI.
Faisal Farooqui, a family friend, shared the news from the actor's Twitter handle: "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."
With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago.
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021
We are from God and to Him we return. - Faisal Farooqui
In the last one month, the "Devdas" actor had been in and out of hospitals and the family was hoping he would get better.
India mourns loss of the legend
As soon as the news broke, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his Twitter handle to mourn the loss of the legendary actor. The PM called the unfortunate demise of Dilip Kumar a loss to the cultural world and wrote, "Dilip Kumar Ji will 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."
The news has undoubtedly saddened millions of Dilip Kumar fans and the members of Bollywood film fraternity including Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee and others offered their condolences on social media. Check out Bollywood's reaction to Dilip Kumar's death:
T 3958 -" ?????
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 7, 2021
An epic era has drawn curtains... Never to happen again..
?????" ~ s
To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 7, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Om Shanti ?? pic.twitter.com/dVwV7CUfxh
Shared many moments with the legend...some very personal, some on stage. Yet, nothing really prepared me for his passing away. An institution, a timeless actor. Heartbroken.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) July 7, 2021
Deepest condolences to Sairaji??#DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/Il8qaMOOhf
No One like you !!! Have a great Journey from here on Master ….सादर नमन ? Rest in Peace ??? https://t.co/nTv3cwV2wg
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 7, 2021
Saddened to know about the demise of Dilip Kumar sir, One of the greatest actors and doyen of Indian Cinema, a Legend. He inspired generations of actors and will always be missed. RIP ? pic.twitter.com/xTjO4FF6yS
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) July 7, 2021
? RIP ? https://t.co/ARlFXAZqAo
— Jackie Shroff (@bindasbhidu) July 7, 2021
Saddest day of my life.
— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) July 7, 2021
Dilip saheb Yusuf bhai gone
My personal loss of my most precious idol.
No words
RIP SAHEB ??
Rest in the highest realms of glory Sir….thank you for driving our cinema towards the echelons of excellence.
— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) July 7, 2021
#RIPDilipKumar pic.twitter.com/rpfktQjpS6
A legend … an Inspiration… thank you for living a wonderful life #DilipKumar ji … ?????? RIP … pic.twitter.com/F1uiXHzxsb
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) July 7, 2021
The end of an era.
— Kubbra Sait (@KubbraSait) July 7, 2021
?
The real Khan, the real deal. pic.twitter.com/gHVIZRUUcp
Rest In Peace Yusuf Sahab/ Dilip Sahab. Will never forget the Hot brun pao and butter. pic.twitter.com/yw6GljMcxY
— Ronit Bose Roy (@RonitBoseRoy) July 7, 2021
Dililp Kumar saheb. A career that teaches many actors like me a standard and commitment to maintain in their performance. Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/PNdBzjYj7R
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 7, 2021
Dilip Kumar - The legend
Born as Yusuf Khan, Dilip Kumar was a trendsetter in Bollywood in terms of acting and has inspired generations of actors across the various streams of Indian cinema. With a career span of more than five decades, the 'Mughal-e-Azam' star was regarded as one of the greatest actors that India has ever seen.
Dilip Kumar was best-known for his films such as Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Gunga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam, Naya Daur, Madhumati, Kranti, Vidhaata, Shakti and Mashaal, to name just a few. He debuted in films with Jwar Bhata in 1944, however, the film and his work did not garner much attention of the audience. It was with Jugnu that released in 1947 that he clinched his first box office hit.
Guinness World Records
In 1949, Dilip Kumar starred in Andaz with Raj Kapoor and Nargis, and that film made Dilip Kumar a big star. He was the first actor to win the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 1954 and won it a total of eight times. He and Shah Rukh Khan jointly hold the record for most Filmfare trophies.
Dilip Kumar also features in the Guinness World Records for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor. He is also credited as the first method actor in India. He was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015. The actor was last seen on-screen in the film Qila in 1998.
Our deepest condolences to the late legendary actor's wife Saira Banu and his family. May his soul rest in peace.