End of the journey of ‘Protector of Delhi’– Dilip Kumar

By T.K. Premadasa

In commemoration of the centennial celebrations of the Indian Cinema, an exclusive coverage with a lovely photograph of Dilip Kumar, Amithab Bachchan and Sharuck Khan, the three legends of the Indian Silver Screen appeared in the special issue of the Film Fare Magazine published on 24th of April, 2013. Amitab Bachchan and Sharuck Khan have openly expressed that it was a historical milestone in their career to have jointly appeared with this greatest Legend Dilip Kumar whom they highly respect for his excellence.

Dilip, with his outstanding contribution to the Indian cinema during the last several decades, was actively engaged in films even during his last days. He, released his autobiography named “Substance and the Shadow’’ in 2014 which covered his personal life story with everlasting experience on the Indian Silver Screen. In a salutary tribute to his unsurpassed performance as the Living Legend of the Indian Cinema, he was rightly honoured with Padma Vibhushan National Award in 2015 by the Government of India, on his 93rd Birthday.

This legendary jewel of the Indian Screen ever created by Bollywood passed away on 7th July 2021 at the age of 98, making the whole world of cinema fans grieve by his loss. He blessed with innate talents and skills which was portrayed in whatever character he played during the last four decades from the 1940s till 80s, he created history at the pinnacle of its glory on the Silver Screen.

Dilip Kumar was born on 11th December 1922 to a Hindi speaking family of Afghan origin with 12 children, in Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar, Pakistan. It was originally known as the North West Frontier Province in British India. This future world renowned film star on the Indian Screen, popularly known as Dilip Kumar was named Muhammad Yusuf Khan by his father Ghulam Sarwar, a leading businessmen dealing in fruits in Peshawar.

Young Yusuf Khan made his filial contribution to his family in assisting his father to earn their living on his business of fruits after the family moved to Bombay (Mumbai) in the early 1930s. It is believed that Yusuf Khan later worked in a cafeteria in Pune to support his family. Many interesting stories have been written about his entry into Indian Cinema.

Exclusive credence is bestowed on late Devika Rani the famous Indian actress in the 1930s and the 40s for her prescient introduction of Dilip Kumar to the Indian Screen. She was a partner of of Bombay Talkies Ltd of India that produced nearly 102 films. This company was instrumental in introducing not only Dilip but also Ashok Kumar, Mehboob, Raj Kapoor and a few other leading film stars, including Madhubala the veteran Queen of the Silver Screen who continued a long time love affair with Dilip Kumar.

This energetic character Dilip happened to travel to Nainital on a business trip, while Devika Rani too had gone to Nainatal with her film Director Amiya Chakravarthy searching for attractive locations for her next movie since the region of Nainatal was a natural beauty in the hill country of Uttara Pradesh. It was a miracle that these two met each other on the same route and Devika Rani unwittingly stumbled upon Yusuf. Devika instantly tendered her apology to Yusuf as it was her fault. She gave him her visiting card and promised that she would call him back. After the business deal Yusuf returned to Pune to work in the cafeteria. He was very much interested in meeting Devika Rani as she was so popular and an influential actress in the country. In the absence of a positive response from her, Yusuf traveled to Bombay Talkies Ltd which had been closed that day being a Sunday. However he was fortunate to meet the Production Secretary of the company S.Guruswamy outside the studio who most generously made an appointment for Yusuf to meet Devika Rani the next day. Accordingly, he was interviewed by Devika Rani who was indisputably admired by his attractive personality and potential. Consequently, he was given certain documents in respect of a contract agreement for signature of what he thought was a contract to run a cafeteria at the Bombay Talkies Ltd. But it was the contract of him being selected to play a leading role in their next film Jawar Bhata produced by Bombay Talkies Ltd. His innate talents with strength and confidence conquered the admiration of Devika Rani.

Entrusting the responsibility of playing a major character in the film on condition that he should change his name, Devika Rani proposed three names as Jewangir, Vasudev or Dilip Kumar of which he preferred the name Dilip Kumar meaning “Protector of Delhi”. But it is the putative factor that this popular name loved by the fans around the globe had been decided by a great Indian poet Baghawati Charan Verma.

After his first film Jawar Bhata, directed by Amiya Chakravarthy was screened in 1944, Dilip Kumar’s second movie was Pratima (1945) directed by Pardi Jairaj. It was a hallmark at the beginning of his career to play the major role with Indian legendary singer and actress Noor-Jehan in his fourth film Jugnu (1947). Inspired by his overwhelming popularity acclaimed through indefatigable efforts, he was offered to play a role with Raj Kapoor in the film named Andaz which became a hit movie crowning Dilip Kumar’s the brightest star in Hindi Cinema. He proved his brilliance literally in playing the major role of different characters in as many as 60 films from 1943 to 1998 ending his career with the film Qila in 1998. Stellar performance during a period of 55 years conquered the hearts of movie fans both locally and abroad with fascinating favourites as Madhumathi, Aan, Babul, Tarana, Devdas, Daag, Footpath, Andaz, Azaad, Leader, Ram oAur Sham, Kohinoor, Mughal E Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Naya Daur, etc. He has influenced fans world over reaching to the apex of its glory as the shining Super Star of the Hindi Silver Screen. It is a known fact that aproximately 11 films in which Dilip Kumar made his contribution playing the main role unreleased or incomplete due to reasons unknown.

An invitation from the great British Film Director David Lean to play the main character as Sherif Ali in the renowned film “Lawrence of Arabia” was not accepted by Dilip Kumar according to sources from the Indian film industry. Subsequently, Egyptian Actor Omar Sharif was selected for the role of Sherif Ali.

Ganga Jamuna

the only film produced by Dilip Kumar became a box office hit with lovely songs still resonating in our ever lasting memories. He directed the film Kalinga, which was a manifestation of his vast knowledge of the film industry. It was rather unfortunate that this film was not released.

Award winning actresses Noorjehan, Madhubala, Vyjayanthimala, Meena Kumari, Nutan, Nargis, Saira Banu and many others of the Indian cinema played the opposite roles with Dilip Kumar. Asha Parekh and Sadana could not act with Dilip. Suraiya and Malasingh refused to act with him.

It was his indomitable popularity with lovely composition of innovative musical brilliancy of great Indian musicians that attracted a capacity audience at each and every cinema just by the mention of the name Dilip Kumar at that time. The famous film Kohinoor is a case in point.

It is believed that the most romantic love affair heard from the Hindi Silver Screen has been the close relationship clandestinely carried on between Dilip and Madhubala who was later married to Kishor Kumar, the famous playback Singer cum actor. Coincidentally, Madhubala was also introduced to Hindi cinema by Devika Rani.

Dilip and Madhubala played the two opposite main roles in the film Tarana. Their increasing attachment tempted Madhubala to offer a bunch of red roses, the symbolic feelings of love to Dilip sensing her attraction towards him during the production of Tarana. The affair continued to last for nearly 5 years. These two veteran film stars were selected for leading roles in Naya Daur by Director B.R. Chopra. Chopra wanted Dilip and Madhubala to fly to Bhopal for shooting scheduled for a long stay. Unfortunately Madhubala’s father rejected the request as the location was not safe and thus Chopra was compelled to replace Madhubala with Vyjayanthimala. The dispute ended up in a Court of Law. Eventually the most long standing romantic love affair of the Indian cinema brought an unbearable end to both parties. It is said that they never spoke to each other than engaging in the dialogues in Mogul E Asam where they played major roles in the film. Nevertheless, her sister recently mentioned to the media that Madhubala loved Dilip Sahab till the day she died at the age of 36.

Dilip Kumar was 44 years of age when he got married to 22-year-old Beauty Queen film star Saira Banu in 1966. Their married life brilliantly blooming with happiness and harmony for the last 55 years is one of the longest lasting marriages of success in Bollywood cinema.

Dilip has received many awards for his brlilliant performances throughout his career. He became the first film star to win Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role of Shankar played in Daag in 1954. Being nominated 19 times for the Best Actor at the Filmfare Award, he was repeatedly crowned the Best Actor, eight times for his stellar performances in Daag, Azaad, Devdas, Naya Daur, Leader, Kohinoor, Ram aur Shyam and Shakthi a record equaled by the leading Star on Hindi Screen Sharhrukh Khan by 2011. Special feature is that he set an unprecedented record in winning the prestigious Filmfare Award three consecutive years in 1956, 1957 and 1958.

He was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, NTR National Award in 1997, Zee Cine Awards 2001, IIFA Award For Outstanding Contribution To Indian Cinema 2004, Lifetime Achievement Award of CNN-IBN India in 2009. In honour of his excellent contribution he was titled the Sherif of Mumbai in 1980 and honoured with Padma Vibhushan of Indian Nation in 1991 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 the highest national award for cinematic excellence in India. In 1997 Dilip was presented with Nishan –e- Pakistan, the highest civilian Award in Pakistan.

Dilip Kumar entered into politics in early 2000 and was elected a member of the Lok Sabha at the general elections held in 2000.

Dilip will have a special place reserved for him in the history of world cinema. This is evident from the excellent comments made by the great Indian artistes on the legendary actor. The legendary actor of the next generation, Amithab Bachchan quoted Dilip as the greatest actor to ever emerge on the Indian screen and Satyajith Ray emphasised that ‘’Dilip Kumar was a brilliant actor and can be termed as the ‘Ultimate Actor in Method Acting.”

(The writer is the former Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications of Sri Lanka Export Development Board. He can be reached on
t.k.premadasa@gmail.com )