On July 7, Wednesday, veteran actor Dilip Kumar passed away at an age of 98 years. After his death, the Indian President, PM and people from Bollywood fraternity expressed shock and grief. The late actor’s death came a few days after he was admitted to the Hinduja hospital’s ICU for breathing issues. Mr. Kumar was battling illness since more a couple of months and had also contracted COVID-19 virus 2 months back.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. The Last Days of Dilip Kumar
3. From the Doctor’s Chair
4. Condolences Pour in From PM Modi, the President to New-Age Doctors
5. The Life and Times of Dilip Kumar (1922-2021)

Details

Indian film industry’s first method actor, Mr. Dilip Kumar, took his last breath on early Wednesday morning after being hospitalized for the past 15 days. As per Mr. Kumar’s doctors, he was suffering from prostate cancer which had spread to his different organ. The prostate cancer had also progressed to the advanced stage.

According to a doctor quoted by an Indian Express report, Mr. Kumar’s pleural cavity had accumulated water and he later suffered from kidney failure. Mr. Kumar also required multiple blood transfusions but the last transfusion didn’t serve its purpose.

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The Last Days of Dilip Kumar

In the past few days, arguably the most warm and talented actors to have graced the big screens, was reduced down to being unresponsive. During the end, Mr. Kumar witnessed a blood pressure drop and his hemoglobin levels also dropped towards the end. Further, the cancer which had progressed to an advanced stage made the course of treatment much more challenging.

From the Doctor’s Chair

A doctor from the team of doctors that was treating Mr. Kumar came forward and shared the news of Mr. Kumar’s death. Dr. Jalil Parkar was quoted by news reports saying-

“He passed away at around 7.30 am in the presence of his cardiologist Dr Nitin Gokhale at 98 due to a prolonged illness. I wished he was with us till he was 100, but God has snatched him away from us. Saira ji took immense care of him during his illness and in the last few years, he was treated by Dr Nitin Gokhale, cardiologist, Dr Anita Patel, urologist and Dr Jaideep Palep, a surgeon and myself.”

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Condolences Pour in From PM Modi, the President to New-Age Doctors

“Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. 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. RIP,” said PM Modi, taking to Twitter.

President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his condolences and wrote, “Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent. With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. Condolences to family and countless fans.”

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Several Bollywood actors, political leaders from different parties, sportspersons and influential celebrities also shared their condolences.

The Life and Times of Dilip Kumar (1922-2021)

Dilip-Kumar's-Journey-in-Indian-Cinema

Dilip Kumar’s Journey in Indian Cinema | Image Credit: Anuj Alankar

Born as Mohammad Yusuf Khan, he was the 5th of the 12 children of Ayesha Begum and Mohammed Sarwar. In the 1930s, he moved to Kolkata and later, to the city of dreams – Mumbai.

In 1944, without telling his parents of family, he made his quiet debut with Jwar Bhata. Although the film amassed average reviews, Kumar persevered. In the 50s, Dilip Kumar ruled the Bollywood industry along with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor.

Dilip-Kumar-movie-Jwar-Bhata

Dilip Kumar in movie Jwar Bhata | Image Credit: Film History Pics

In 50s, he cemented his place as an unshakeable lover through films like Aan and Madhumati. Further, he made sure that he was not type casted, and acted in dramas that still remain socially relevant such as Naya Daur and Footpath.

Madhumati

Dilip Kumar in movie Madhumati

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But it was a certain 1955 film that was going to give him the title of ‘Tragedy King’. It was Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s literary work Devdas that was adapted to the screen with Kumar playing the titular role. Further, his portrayal of Saleem in K. Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam made sure that he remained a cult romantic protagonist in Indian cinema.

Mughal-E-Azam

Dilip Kumar in movie Mughal-E-Azam | Image Credit: Wikipedia

Mr. Kumar was felicited with Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Nishan – E – Imtiaz. Lauded by several Filmfare Awards, Mr. Kumar’s enduring legacy is above and beyond a label and slew of awards.