Bollywood star Dilip Kumar smiles after receiving a lifetime achievement award from India’s President Pratibha Patil (unseen) during the 54th national film awards ceremony in New Delhi, Sept. 2, 2008. Image: Reuters/B Mathur (India)
MUMBAI — One of India’s most well-known and respected actors, Dilip Kumar, died on Wednesday morning, his family said.
Kumar, also a producer and philanthropist, was 98 and ailing for some time. Recognized as one of the greatest actors in Hindi cinema, he is referred to as “the first Khan.”
Born Mohammed Yusuf Khan in 1922 in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, he was known by the screen name of Dilip Kumar once he joined Bollywood in the 1940s.
“With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago,” Faisal Farooqui, a relative, posted on the actor’s Twitter account early on Wednesday morning.
Kumar is survived by his wife, Saira Banu, a popular leading lady in Bollywood in the 1960s and 1970s. JB
RELATED STORIES:
‘Mother of the telenovela,’ Delia Fiallo, dies in Miami
Revered US playwright Terrence McNally dies of coronavirus complications