Bollywood veteran Dilip Kumar passes away at 98

Bollywood veteran actor Dilip Kumar passed away here on Wednesday due to age-related illness, his family has confirmed. He was 98. He is survived by wife veteran actress Saira Banu. 

He died at the private Hinduja Hospital where had been admitted for certain breathing issues.

The news of his demise was shared via a Twitter post.

With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago.

We are from God and to Him we return. - Faisal Farooqui

— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) July 7, 2021

Dilip Kumar was born Yusuf Khan and Dilp Kumar was his screen name. He is considered as one of the greatest actors that India has ever seen, his career spanned over 50 years. 

He is known for super hit films such as Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Gunga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam, Naya Daur, Madhumati, Kranti, Vidhaata, Shakti and Mashaal and many others. 

Kumar is in the Guinness World Records for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor. He is also given credit for being the first method actor in the country.

He was the first actor to win the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 1954, and won it a total of 8 times. He and Shah Rukh Khan are the only ones to  hold the record for most Filmfare trophies.

He was the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

The Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) and the Cine Artist Welfare Trust (CAWT) issued a condolence message on Wednesday expressing grief at the demise of legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar. The 98-year-old actor died at a Mumbai hospital in the early hours of the day.

Titled "Homage to Dilip Kumar Saab", the message read: "We have woken this morning to the most grief-stricken news that our beloved Dilip Saab is no more. Wish he was alive for few more years to achieve the much-deserved centenary mark, but God's will was otherwise. His body may have left us but his body of work will remain immortal.

"An institution by himself, he enthralled the audience world over through many generations.

"Though he was symbolised as a Tragedy King in reel life, in reality he was an epitome of humanity who only wished happiness to everyone. Vacuum created now is hard to be refilled.

"A legendary actor par excellence, his professional and personal philanthropic contributions to the fraternity is beyond any quantum of measurements.

"Recipient of many awards including the first Filmfare and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, we are sure his cherished award would have been the immense love and affection he received from millions. A well-crafted journey spanning many decades, he truly loved his craft of being an ACTOR FIRST.

"For us at CINTAA and CAWT, the sadness is indomitable even to express through our words. His contribution to our association and Trust was extremely noteworthy and his voice, wisdom and opinions truly mattered to us. His unparalleled virtue was that he always embraced the spirit of brotherhood. A teacher and a true master.

"As we now pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace, we express our heartfelt condolences to his family and Saira ji in particular.

"We aren't saying adieu because Dilip Saab will stay in our hearts forever. Thanks and regards," the message ended, signed by Vikram Gokhle, Honorary President, CINTAA, and Pankaj Dheer, Honorary Chairman, CAWT.

Condolances have been pouring in from the Bollywood film industry from actors such as Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee, Nimrat Kaur, Vir Das, Ajay Devgan, Aamir Khan, Dharmendra Deol, and the Nightengale of India Lata Mangkeshkar along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress party MP Rahul Gandhi expressing sorrow on the loss of this iconic actor.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2021

To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Om Shanti 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/dVwV7CUfxh

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 7, 2021

No One like you !!! Have a great Journey from here on Master ….सादर नमन 🙏 Rest in Peace 🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/nTv3cwV2wg

— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 7, 2021

Rest in the highest realms of glory Sir….thank you for driving our cinema towards the echelons of excellence.
#RIPDilipKumar pic.twitter.com/rpfktQjpS6

— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) July 7, 2021

We lost a legend. Rest in peace #DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/ocu9hrhD99

— Vir Das (@thevirdas) July 7, 2021

Shared many moments with the legend...some very personal, some on stage. Yet, nothing really prepared me for his passing away. An institution, a timeless actor. Heartbroken.
Deepest condolences to Sairaji🙏🏼#DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/Il8qaMOOhf

— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) July 7, 2021

Thank you Yusuf Sahab for the invaluable, priceless and unique gift you have given all of us through your work.
For me you have always been and always will be the greatest ever.
Salaam 🙏🏽
Love.
Aamir.

— Aamir Khan Productions (@AKPPL_Official) July 7, 2021

Extremely sad , to loose my most affectionate brother in the industry. Jannat naseeb ho 🙏 hamare Dalip Sahab ko 🙏

— Dharmendra Deol (@aapkadharam) July 7, 2021

यूसुफ़ भाई आज अपनी छोटीसी बहन को छोड़के चले गए.. यूसुफ़ भाई क्या गए, एक युग का अंत हो गया. मुझे कुछ सूझ नहीं रहा. मैं बहुत दुखी हूँ, नि:शब्द हूँ.कई बातें कई यादें हमें देके चले गए.

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) July 7, 2021

pic.twitter.com/nPwM4myyOJ

— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) July 7, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & fans of Dilip Kumar ji.

His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/H8NDxLU630

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 7, 2021

Darpan Magazine offers their condolances to his wife. May he rest in peace.

Photo courtesy of Instagram and IANS.