Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, he began his acting career with the screen name, Dilip Kumar. Dilip Kumar was known to generations of film-goers as the 'tragedy king'. Often known as the Nehruvian hero, Kumar starred in his first film 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944 and his last 'Qila' in 1998, 54 years later. The six-decade-long career included 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Devdas', 'Naya Daur', and 'Ram Aur Shyam', and later, as he graduated to character roles, 'Shakti' and 'Karma'
Dilip Kumar met Saira Banu, his wife of over five decades, at a party. She was 22 and he, 45. The couple married in 1966. Saira Banu was a constant by Kumar’s side, supporting him through the years and speaking for him when he was no longer in a position to
The demise of Dilip Kumar had surely left a void in the film industry. Today, on his 101st birth anniversary, we remember him through some of his most candid pictures with Bollywood stars, that will take you on a trip down memory lane
A rare picture of Dilip Kumar with two other superstars of the Hindi film industry Rajesh Khanna and Sunil Dutt at a political event
Dilip Kumar, part of Hindi cinema’s famed triumvirate along with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, was the inspiration for generations of actors with his own brand of method acting. Unlike Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, he never ventured into filmmaking, and preferred acting, his abiding passion
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar shared a close bond with Dilip Kumar and considered him her elder brother. Post his demise in 2021, she had penned on social media, “Yusuf Bhai has left his little sister. His demise feels like the end of an era. I am not able to grasp this news. I am very sad and at a loss of words. He has left me with memories and words. [sic]". Picture courtesy/Rane Ashish
Dilip Kumar quit acting in 1998. That was the year Yusuf Saab, as he was widely known to friends and fans alike, last faced the camera for Umesh Mehra's 'Qila', where he shared the screen space with Rekha
Dilip Kumar receives a warm hug from Amitabh Bachchan at an awards function. Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji too can be seen sharing the stage
Dilip Kumar and Sanjay Dutt at the inauguration of the postal ticket of famous filmmaker Mehboob Khan at Mehboob Studio, Bandra
When Dilip Kumar passed, comedian Johny Lever shared his fond memory with the superstar. "I’m fortunate enough to have shared some precious moments with the great Dilip Sahab. I remember he did a small mimicry act for me while we were on tour, he served me Biryani once with his own hands at his home, and many more such beautiful memories…It was amazing to see how such a great personality like him could be so humble & grounded. He is an institution we love & learnt so much from. May his soul rest in peace, & may God give strength to Saira ji & his family," he wrote
A candid picture of Dilip Kumar and Mamta Kulkarni. The duo had shared screen space in 1998's 'Qila'
Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas at the 89th birthday celebrations of Dilip Kumar, held at his residence in Mumbai in 2011
A candid picture of the Bachchans - Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, when they attended Dilip Kumar's 89th birthday celebrations
Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Sayyeshaa, and Subhash Ghai at Kumar's 89th birthday celebrations on December 11, 2011, in Mumbai
Rani Mukerji happily poses with Dilip Kumar on his birthday at his residence in Mumbai on December 11, 2010 (Photo courtesy/Satyajit Desai)
Dilip Kumar poses for a picture with Salman Khan and Govinda, during his 89th birthday celebrations on December 11, 2011, in Mumbai
Dilip Kumar is handed a cup of tea by actress Nagma at the announcement of the release of the Bhojpuri film 'Ab Ta Banja Sajanwa Hamaar' in Mumbai, on September 16, 2006
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![Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar shared a close bond with Dilip Kumar and considered him her elder brother. Post his demise in 2021, she had penned on social media, “Yusuf Bhai has left his little sister. His demise feels like the end of an era. I am not able to grasp this news. I am very sad and at a loss of words. He has left me with memories and words. [sic]](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2021/jul/dilip-sad-c.jpg "Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar shared a close bond with Dilip Kumar and considered him her elder brother. Post his demise in 2021, she had penned on social media, “Yusuf Bhai has left his little sister. His demise feels like the end of an era. I am not able to grasp this news. I am very sad and at a loss of words. He has left me with memories and words. [sic]")
