MUMBAI: One of the greatest actors in Asia, Dilip Kumar (Yousuf Khan), popularly known as the tragedy King of Bollywood, has breathed his last at the age of 98, Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating the actor at Mumbai’s PD Hinduja hospital confirmed.
“With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip saab,” Faisal Farooqui – a family friend – posted on the actor’s official Twitter.
The legendary actor was admitted to Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital after complaining of breathlessness – it was the second time he had been hospitalized in the same month.
Dilip Kumar had been in and out of hospital over the last few years with multiple health problems ranging from a kidney ailment to pneumonia.
Born on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan) as Mohammad Yousuf Khan, he began his film career in 1944 with “Jawar Bhata”.
The versatile actor, who would have been 99 in December, is survived by his wife of 75 years, Saira Banu.
Condolences poured in from political, social and cultural circles in India and Pakistan as they mourned the loss of the actor.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Kumar 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,” he said.
Dilip Kumar, real name Yusuf Khan, won hearts with her spectacular performance in some of Indian cinema’s most iconic and landmark films including Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Ram Aur Shyam, Andaz, Deedar, Daagh, Azad, and Ganga Jamuna.
Dilip Kumar’s illustrious career spanned several decades. He transitioned from playing the romantic-tragic lead to character roles from the ’80s on, in films such as Kranti, Shakti, Karma and Saudagar. 1998’s Qila was his last film.
Read more: Dilip Kumar hospitalized after complaining of breathing difficulty
