An era has come to an end. Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, 98, has breathed his last today. The nonagenarian was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital last week after he complained of breathlessness. In the month of June, he was admitted to the hospital twice for the same problem.
On Tuesday, Dilip Sahab's wife, Saira Banu issued a statement on the veteran actor's Twitter handle. She mentioned, "We are grateful for God's infinite mercy on Dilip Sahib that his health is improving. We are still in hospital and request your prayers and duas so that Insha’Allah he is healthy and discharged soon. Saira Banu Khan."
Dilip Sahab's family friend Faisal Farooqui confirmed the news of the actor's demise and tweeted, "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.
We are from God and to Him we return. - Faisal Farooqui
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021
Dilip Sahab is survived by his wife Saira Banu. Last year, the actor lost both his younger brothers, Ehsan and Aslam Khan to COVID-19.
In a statement, Dr Jalil Parkar said, "Dilip Kumar sahab was under my observation. Cardiologist Dr Nitin Gokhale and team was under my guidance was treating the legendary actor. He was 98 and had some severe complications. Due to his age, he was not responding to our treatment. He took his last breath in presence of Saira Ji and Dr Nitin Gokhale, we tried to revive him but failed." Dr Parkar, Dr Gokhale and Dr Anita Patel and Dr Jaideep Patil were treating him for the last 25 years.
Born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, Pakistan, Dilip Sahab belonged to the Golden Age of Hindi cinema. After an alleged altercation with his father, the actor left home for Pune in Maharashtra. In early 1943, with Ashok Kumar's help, Dilip Sahab bagged the lead role in Jwar Bhata (1944). After some unsuccessful films, he starred in Jugnu (1947) alongside Noor Jehan which became his first major hit at the box office.
Later, he went on to star in successful films like Jogan (1950), Babul (1950), Hulchul (1951), Deedar (1951), Tarana (1951), Daag (1952), Sangdil (1952), Shikast (1953), Amar (1954), Uran Khatola (1955), Insaniyat (1955), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Yahudi (1958), Madhumati (1958) and Paigham (1959). Mughal-e-Azam, in which he played the role of Prince Salim, was the highest-grossing film in Indian film history for many years. After taking a hiatus from 1976 to 1981, he returned with Kranti (1981). His last film appearance was in 1998 in Qila.
The recipient of Padma Vibhushan, he was elected to Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, from 2000–2006.
