Masoom Muradabadi
Muhammad Yousuf Khan, the uncrowned king of art and acting, known as Dilip Kumar, passed away on July 7, 2021, after a prolonged illness. He was not only a fantastic actor but also possessed a unique and distinguished personality in many ways. He ruled over the hearts of millions as an excellent, decent, and dignified human being. He was the prince of countless heartbeats and dreams, truly a mythological figure.
During his 54-year association with the film industry, Mr. Dilip left a profound impression with his personality and art. He began his film career in 1944 with the film ‘Jwar Bhata,’ and continued to make his dignified presence in Bollywood until his last film, ‘Qila’ (1998). Throughout this period, he acted in 60 films, immortalizing every character he portrayed. As the most popular hero of the 1950s, his films reflected the issues of his time, offering a glimpse into the burning problems of that era. Additionally, he was active in social service, assisting countless needy individuals.
His films include “Devdas,” “Mughal-e-Azam,” “Naya Daur,” “Madhumati,” “Ganga Jamuna,” “Ram Aur Shyam,” “Karma,” and “Kranti.” In these films, he played memorable roles and had the longest career among his contemporaries. His fanbase spans all ages, and his films continue to be watched with great interest. Acting was embedded in his very being, and when he used to appear on screen, audiences were often moved to tears. The character of Prince Salim in K Asif’s “Mughal-e-Azam” is one of his most enduring roles. He portrayed Prince Salim with such depth that the film became a milestone in Indian cinema, especially notable for his performance alongside Prithviraj Kapoor, who played the role Akbar.
In addition to his unparalleled acting, another remarkable quality was his unique style of delivering dialogues, which beautifully showcased the Urdu language and culture. Besides Urdu, he was also proficient in Persian, English, Pashto, and Punjabi. Whenever he had the opportunity to speak on stage, he did so in fluent Urdu, enchanting audiences with the sweetness and elegance of his tone.
Muhammad Yusuf Khan hailed from a respectable Pathan family of Peshawar. When he entered into the film world in 1944, it was considered inappropriate for boys and girls from good families to work in films. His father, like many others, dismissed the profession as ‘Nautanki’ (theatrical performance). To evade his father’s disapproval, Yusuf Khan adopted the name Dilip Kumar. He did not want his father to know that his son had started acting.
After entering into the film industry, the level of perfection he achieved in this art became his hallmark. In the long history of Indian cinema, many actors have emerged, but none could match his prowess. This is why he is often regarded more as an institution of acting than merely an actor. Many learned the craft of acting simply by watching him on screen.
I had the opportunity to meet and talk to him many times. Most of these meetings took place during the period when he was a member of the Rajya Sabha between 2000 and 2006. We often encountered each other in the corridors of Parliament. His greatest quality was that, unlike other actors, he never shunned his fans and always gave a satisfactory answer to anyone who addressed him. Despite being a fantastic actor, there was no trace of pretentiousness or show off in his personal life. The Urdu language and eastern culture were his most prominent identities. He had a special interest in Urdu poetry and presided over many important mushairas in his life. One day, I recited a verse to him in the corridors of Parliament. He held my hand for a long time and expressed his desire to hear it again by saying, “Repeat.” This was a poem by an old poet.
hazaar hashar mein pursish hui magar hum ne
nah dil ke daagh dikhaaye nah un ka naam liya
“A thousand questions were posed in the gathering, yet we
Neither showed the scars of our hearts nor mentioned their names.”
Meanwhile, during the ‘At Home’ event at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day, I saw respected Dilip and her wife Saira Banu sitting comfortably in a corner. I walked up to him, shook hands, and said, “This light on your face is a reflection of your pure life.” He smiled in a particular way upon hearing that phrase. Saira Banu added, “In fact, he served his mother a lot and received many prayers from her. That’s the effect of it.”
There is no denying the fact that the charm that remained on Dilip Sahab’s face until his last moments was unparalleled among the actors of his time. Many film actors lose the radiance of their faces as they age, and some even become unrecognizable. However, despite numerous illnesses and setbacks, Dilip Sahab’s face continued to glow until the very end.
The biggest sorrow in his life was his inability to have children. He later remarried a woman from Hyderabad, but their marriage soon ended amidst controversy. Throughout his life, his wife Saira Banu stood by his side like a shadow, playing the role of a devoted wife until the very end. His initial love interest was Madhubala, his co-star (Anarkali) in the film ‘Mughal-e-Azam’. However, during the filming, tensions between them grew so intense that they found it difficult to even look at each other. Despite this, they both persevered and completed the film together.
Dilip Sagab received all the major awards of the film industry, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He also holds the record of getting the Filmfare Awards for the highest numbers. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. However, it remains unclear why he was not awarded with the ‘Bharat Ratna’, despite being highly deserving of it. It is regrettable that he was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha as a member of the Congress party, whereas ideally, he should have been recognized by the President as an extraordinary figure in his field.
The Government of Pakistan bestowed upon him its highest civilian honor, the ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’, and declared his house in Peshawar a national monument.
The fame, popularity, honor, wealth, and status that Dilip Kumar achieved in his life are the destinies of very few people in the world. What’s most remarkable is that he maintained this status throughout his life, encountering no dishonor along the way. The key reason for this was his humility. He never displayed pride or arrogance. In one of his interviews, he stated, “Pride or arrogance is actually a disease from which one should always keep away.” He believed in staying grounded, emphasizing, “One should remain connected to hard work and sincerity, indifferent to fame and recognition.”
Dilip Sahab portrayed mostly tragic characters in films, earning him the moniker ‘Tragedy King’. However, this took a toll on his health, prompting him to seek psychological counsel to change his mindset. Advised by a doctor to take on comedic roles, he appeared in films like ‘Shabnam’, ‘Azad’, and ‘Ram Aur Shyam’. He used to wholeheartedly immerse himself in every role he played. For instance, when he had to play a sitar in a film, he practiced so intensely that he got injured his fingers. This dedication underscored his profound commitment to his craft. Artists like him emerge once in centuries, leaving an enduring legacy. As the poet aptly put it:
hamaray baad is mehfil mein afsaanay bayan honge
baharen hum ko dhunden gi nah jane ham kahan honge
“After us, tales will be told in this gathering.
The spring will seek us, unaware of where we have gone.”
* The article has been translated by Mohammed Alamullah from Urdu into English. Â
