The journey from Yusuf Khan to the living legend Dilip Kumar; Birthday Special
Dilip Kumar earlier known as Muhammad Yusuf Khan is an Indian film actor who has also been nicknamed as ‘The Tragedy King’ and ‘The First Khan’.
Kumar debuted on the silver screen from film Jwar Bhata in 1944, produced by Bombay Talkies. In his 5 decades of career he worked in over 65 films. Few of his most famous films are Andaz (1949), his heart-warming performing in Babul (1950), his impassionate role in Deedar (1951), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), social drama Daag (1952), the dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), epic-historical Mughal-eAzam (1960) and the list goes on.
Kumar was born as Yusuf Khan on 11 December 1922 and was among the 12 children of his parents in a small area near Peshawar. His father was landlord and fruit merchant. Yusuf Khan did his schooling from Nashik, and was friends with Raj Kapoor, who later turned his colleague in film industry.
Later his father left home for Pune, and he was able to get a job in canteen because of good command on English language. He set up stall a sandwich stall at army club and when the contract ended he headed home to Mumbai, having saved Rs. 5000.
In 1943, anxious to start a venture to help his father, he joined Bombay Talkies. There he met actor Ashok Kumar who influenced his acting style by telling him to act ‘natural’. Initially, Kumar helped in story-writing because of his proficiency in Urdu language. Devika Rani, owner of Bombay Talkies, requested to change his name to Dilip Kumar, and later cast him in lead role for Jwar Bhata in 1944, which begin his career in Hindi Film Industry.
Kumar married actress Saira Banu in 1966, who was 22 years younger to him
Kumar is one the greatest actors in history of Indian Cinema. He holds a record the Guinness World Record for winning maximum number of awards by Indian actors. He has received 10 Filmfare Awards for Best Actor and One Lifetime Achievement for Filmfare in 1993, he has also received National Film Award Boston International Film Festival. The Government of India honoured Kumar with ‘The Padma Bhushan’ in 1991, ‘The Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ in 1994 and ‘Padma Vibushan’ in 2015. The Government of Pakistan has honoured Dilip Kumar with its most prestigious award ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz’ in 1998. Kumar was also nominated as member of Rajya Sabha , by Indian National Congress for period of 2000-2006. adE�I�ΟV