Dilip Kumar (11 December 1922 – 7 July 2021) was an Indian actor and one of the greatest legends of Hindi cinema. Known as the “Tragedy King” for his intense, understated performances, he starred in classics such as Devdas, Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam and Ram Aur Shyam. He won the first-ever Filmfare Award for Best Actor and shares the record of eight wins in that category.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Muhammad Yusuf Khan |
| Born | 11 December 1922, Peshawar (now in Pakistan) |
| Died | 7 July 2021, Mumbai (aged 98) |
| Known as | Tragedy King |
| Debut | Jwar Bhata (1944) |
| Spouse | Saira Banu (m. 1966) |
| Awards | 8 Filmfare Best Actor Awards |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan (1991), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1994), Padma Vibhushan (2015) |
Early Life
Dilip Kumar was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, the son of a fruit merchant. The family moved to Bombay in the 1930s. He ran a small canteen business in Pune before actress Devika Rani of Bombay Talkies cast him and gave him the screen name Dilip Kumar.
Career
After his debut in Jwar Bhata (1944), Dilip Kumar became a star with Jugnu (1947) and Mehboob Khan’s Andaz (1949), alongside Raj Kapoor and Nargis. His roles as doomed lovers in Deedar, Daag and Bimal Roy’s Devdas (1955) earned him the title “Tragedy King”. Daag won him the very first Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
He starred in Naya Daur (1957), Madhumati (1958) and K. Asif’s epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as Prince Salim opposite Madhubala. He produced and starred in Gunga Jumna (1961), and in Ram Aur Shyam (1967) he played twins separated at birth. His later films included Kranti, Shakti (1982) with Amitabh Bachchan, Karma and Saudagar (1991). His naturalistic style influenced generations of actors.
Personal Life and Death
Dilip Kumar had a long relationship with Madhubala in the 1950s. In 1966 he married the actress Saira Banu. He served in the Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006 and was honoured by Pakistan with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998. He died in Mumbai on 7 July 2021, aged 98.
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Dilip Kumar born?
Dilip Kumar was born on 11 December 1922 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan).
When did Dilip Kumar die?
Died: 7 July 2021, Mumbai (aged 98).
What honours has Dilip Kumar received?
Padma Bhushan (1991), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1994), Padma Vibhushan (2015).
