Date of Birth: December 11, 1922
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: July 7, 2021
Biography
Dilip Kumar, born Muhammad Yusuf Khan, was an iconic Indian film actor, producer, and philanthropist, who is often regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema. He was born on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan). His career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in over 65 films. Dilip Kumar’s acting career began in 1944 with the film “Jwar Bhata,” but it was his performance in “Jugnu” (1947) that brought him into the limelight. Known for his method acting, he earned the title of the “Tragedy King” due to his portrayal of melancholic and intense characters. Some of his most notable films include “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960), “Devdas” (1955), “Naya Daur” (1957), and “Ganga Jamuna” (1961). He was also known for his contributions to the Indian film industry beyond acting, involving himself in film production and mentoring young actors. His exceptional work earned him numerous awards, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. Dilip Kumar passed away on July 7, 2021, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.
5 Interesting Facts about Dilip Kumar
1. Dilip Kumar received the first Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 1954 and went on to win it a total of 8 times, a record he shares with Shah Rukh Khan.
2. He was fluent in multiple languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Marathi, and English.
3. Dilip Kumar was initially hesitant to join the film industry and only did so at the behest of actress Devika Rani, who also gave him his screen name.
4. He turned down the role of Sherif Ali in David Lean’s iconic film “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962), which was eventually played by Egyptian actor Omar Sharif.
5. Dilip Kumar was a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament, from 2000 to 2006.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dilip Kumar
1. “Acting is the expression of a neurotic impulse. It’s a bum’s life. Quitting acting, that’s the sign of maturity.”
2. “I am an actor. My primary responsibility is to my craft, not to my audience.”
3. “I owe my success to the love and affection of the Indian film audience.”
4. “Without the element of uncertainty, the bringing off of even the greatest business triumph would be dull, routine, and eminently unsatisfying.”
5. “Failure is a part of success. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Dilip Kumar’s net worth was estimated to be around $85 million.
Children
Dilip Kumar did not have any biological children. He was married to actress Saira Banu since 1966, and the couple remained together until his death.
Relevant Links
1. [Dilip Kumar on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0474801/
2. [Dilip Kumar’s Official Twitter](https://twitter.com/TheDilipKumar
3. [Biography of Dilip Kumar on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dilip-Kumar
4. [Dilip Kumar’s Profile on Filmfare](https://www.filmfare.com/celebrities/dilip-kumar-1495.html
