Remembering Dilip Kumar: Bollywood stars share some rare throwback photos of the thespian

Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar

Awesome threesome

Karisma Kapoor offered her condolences by sharing a throwback click of grandfather Raj Kapoor with Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. "The legendary trio," Lolo captioned the photograph. Anand died in 2011, Kapoor passed away in 1988.

My brother has left me: Mangeshkar

Dilip Kumar had rendered the track, Laagi nahin chhute Rama, with Lata Mangeshkar in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Musafir (1957). The legendary singer, who called him "elder brother", posted photographs, including from a Raksha Bandhan celebration. She wrote, "Yusuf bhai has left his little sister. His demise is the end of an era. I am at a loss of words."

Expressing how devoted Saira Banu was to him, Mangeshkar added, "Yusuf bhai was ill for several years. He could not recognise anyone. Saira bhabhi left everything and served him day and night, there was no other life for her. I bow to such a woman and pray that Yusuf bhai's soul rests in peace."

True friends

Dilip Kumar and Mukri were close pals and would often play cricket on the sets. The late comedian's writer daughter Naseem Mukri recalls, "He was dad's friend since their school days. They started acting at the same time and were seen together in several films, including Pratima [1945] and Kohinoor [1960]. When dad was hospitalised, Yusuf uncle was by his side and took care of the bills. It's rare to find friends like him." Mukri passed away in 2000.

Missed chance

In 2001, Ajay Devgn was to feature with Dilip Kumar in Kuku Kohli's Asar. The mahurat for the film, also starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, was held at Royal Palms, Goregaon, but the project got shelved. "Shared many moments with the legend. Some personal, some on stage. An institution, a timeless actor. Heartbroken," wrote Devgn in his tribute.

Simply the best

One of Dilip Kumar's last public appearances was at Arpita Khan and Aayush Sharma's wedding reception at a Bandra hotel in 2014. Salman Khan posted a photograph with the thespian and wrote, "Best actor Indian cinema has ever seen, and will ever see." Saira Banu would earlier often take Kumar for a drive to Bandstand and the crowd outside Galaxy Apartments would roar in delight seeing the thespian.

Memories linger

Madhuri Dixit-Nene featured alongside Dilip Kumar in Kanoon Apna Apna (1989) and Izzatdaar (1990). "Every now and then, some individuals come along, who single-handedly alter the present and write history. One such legend was Dilip saab for the world of cinema. I was fortunate to have spent time with him on and off-screen," wrote Dixit.

Role model

Hema Malini mourned the death of her Kranti (1981) co-star Dilip Kumar by referring to him as "an exemplary role model for all heroes." She recalled visiting his home and the "pleasant times" she had with him and Saira Banu. "My heart goes out to Saira ji, his life partner of many years, for her loss," Malini wrote.

Talking cricket and films

Producer Manish Goswami and cricketer buddy Sunil Gavaskar had once dropped in at Dilip Kumar's home. Recalling the incident, Goswami says, "I stay in the neighbourhood and Sunny was visiting me. We decided to meet Dilip sahab, who warmly welcomed us. Dilip sahab said he always admired Sunny's batting. It was time well spent discussing cricket and films."

Father figure

Dilip Kumar's Pali Hill neighbour Sanjay Dutt mourned his death by describing him to be "like a father figure" in his life. "It's a huge loss for the film fraternity, we have lost a legend," posted Dutt, who shared screen space with Kumar in Vidhaata (1982) and Kanoon Apna Apna (1989). His mother Nargis had collaborated with the thespian on several films, including Deedar (1951). Sanju has several memories of visiting Kumar's home during his childhood, and being in awe of him.

My world

South actor Sayyeshaa, who is related to Dilip Kumar, shared a throwback photograph and wrote, "I'm blessed to have spent so much of my childhood with the legend, who the world knows as Dilip Kumar. He will always remain my warm-hearted ‘phupo nana', with whom I sang and danced, and learnt so much from." Sayyeshaa is Saira Banu's niece Shaheen's daughter, and is married to Tamil star Arya.