Bollywood’s “Tragedy King” has died.
Dilip Kumar, who populated Bollywood films for over five decades, was 98.
"Dilip Kumar passed away at 7:30 a.m. this morning, after prolonged illness," said Dr. Jalil Parkar on Wednesday, who was treating him at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.
Kumar began his Bollywood career in the late 1940s, and eventually starred in cult classics like "Devdas," "Naya Daur," "Ganga Jamuna," and more. He often took on tragic, melodramatic roles, earning himself the nickname "Tragedy King."
As CNN reports, such was his popularity in India, that notable names from sports to acting to politics and of course film fans instantly posted their condolences.
"Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. "He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers."
Famed actor, producer, and pioliticain Amitabh Bachchan, tweeted, "an institution has gone" and added he was "deeply saddened."
"Whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written,” said Bachchan, “it shall always be 'before Dilip Kumar, and after Dilip Kumar'.”
Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan in 1922 in Peshawar (now part of Pakistan), the family soon moved to Mumbai (then known as Bombay) during Kumar's childhood in the 1930s. His father was a fruit merchant, and in the 1940s, Kumar moved to Pune to launch his own similar career with a canteen business that supplied fruits.
Actress, Devika Rani, the wife of a famed Bollywood film studio founder, was the one who first spotted the young Muhammad Yusuf Khan, came up with his new screen name, and led him off to Bollywood fame.
After ubiquitous early missteps, the 1947 movie, "Jugnu," was his first hit, then "Shaheed" the year after. It was during the filming of "Shaheed" that Kumar began a relationship with actress Kamini Kaushal — an onscreen pairing that became a film fan-favorite, which resulted in three more consecutive hits for the duo.
In the 1950s, Kumar reigned as one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, up there with legends like Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
The film success led to some personal relationship troubles. A split with Kaushal in 1951 eventually led to another relationship that turned into film pairing gold gain, this time with the actress Madhubala. The two starred in the huge hit "Mughal-e-Azam" — widely considered one of Bollywood's most successful films, and an icon of its genre.
Kumar eventually married his wife Saira Banu Khan in 1966. They never had children.
His star status dwindled during the latter 1960s and ‘70s, and he retired from film in 1998. But those iconic hits retained their nostalgic following, and Kumar remained a beloved figure.
He was awarded both the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan — the third- and second-highest civilian awards granted by the Indian government — for his contributions to cinema.
The cause of death was not disclosed. Kumar is survived by his wife, Saira Banu Khan.
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