Legendary actor Dilip Kumar on Wednesday passed away after a prolonged illness in Mumbai. He was 98.The actor was admitted to a city hospital on last Wednesday after facing breathlessness.Dilip Kumar made his Hindi film debut in 1944 with the movie ‘Jwar Bhata’. In a career spanning over six decades, Dilip Kumar gave multiple hits such as ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Naya Daur’, ‘Baabul’, ‘Deedar’, ‘Madhumati’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Ganga Jamuna’, ‘Ram Aur Shyam’, ‘Karma’ and others. Dilip Kumar’s portrayal in various doomed movies earned him the title of ‘tragedy king’.
He was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 1991 for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema. Kumar was bestowed with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015.The Government of Andhra Pradesh honoured Kumar with NTR National Award in 1997. The Government of Pakistan conferred Kumar with Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award in Pakistan, in 1998.
President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed anguish on the demise of actor Dilip Kumar. In a tweet, President Kovind said, Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. He said, the thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries and he was loved across the subcontinent. The President said, with his demise, an era ends. He said, Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. President expressed condolences to the family and countless fans.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has expressed grief on the demise of actor and former Rajya Sabha member Dilip Kumar. In a tweet, Naidu said, in the death of Dilip Kumar, the world of cinema has lost one of the greatest Indian actors. He said, although known by the sobriquet Tragedy King, the legendary thespian was one of the most versatile actors and essayed a variety of roles from social dramas to romantic hero with equal felicity.
The Vice President said, some of his roles in films like ‘Amar’, ‘Naya Daur’, ‘Ganga Jamuna’, ‘Madhumati’ and ‘Ram and Shyam’ remain etched in memory. He said, the natural actor is universally seen as an institution in himself and credited with bringing method acting to Indian cinema. Naidu said, some of the greatest actors in Hindi cinema acknowledge his immeasurable contribution to their understanding of the varied skills of acting. He said, Dilip Kumar’s death has created an irreplaceable void in the field of cinema. The Vice President expressed condolences to his family members and legions of fans in India and abroad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief on the demise of legendary actor Dilip Kumar. In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said,
Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. The Prime Minister said, he was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. PM Modi said, his passing away is a loss to our cultural world. He expressed condolences to the family, friends and innumerable admirers of Dilip Kumar.
