Dilip Kumar turns 90; thanks Almighty

11 December, 2012

The original tragic hero of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar turned 90 today. When most of people are too frail in their 90s, Dilip Saab is going strong. Fans and well wishers have taken to Twitter to wish the legendary actor on his birthday.

DILIP KUMAR turned 90 today and he is being wished health and many more years by all and sundry. The passing away of close friends of the legendary actor is the reason for no big birthday bash. A small family gathering with close friends is, however, on the agenda. Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province, where he was born is observing the day and holding celebrations for the actor.

“It is said a man is as old as he feels and a woman, as old as she looks. I feel as good and healthy as I felt on my last birthday and the birthday before that. Of course, I am grateful to the Almighty that I have lived to this age. I am able to eat what I like, walk without help and enjoy all the small and simple pleasures of life,” the legendary actor told The Times of India.

Dilip Kumar was born Mohammad Yusuf Khan in Pakistan. He migrated to India with his family. After assisting his father, who was a fruit merchant, he moved to Pune and started a canteen where he was spotted by actress Devika Rani and her director-husband Himanshu Rai, owners of Bombay Talkies studio.

Renamed as Dilip Kumar, the young and handsome man was cast in his first role in Jwar Bhata. The film failed to do well but with his second film, Jugnu, people noticed him. After this, he did some 60 films such as Andaz, Jogan and Aan, to name a few. He was called the best method actor by Satyajit Ray and went to win 8 Filmfare Awards.

He was the immortal Salim in Mughal-e-Azam and romanced his real life love Madhubala. While that relationship did not see the light of the day, he married one of the top actresses of her time Saira Banu, when she was just 22 and he 44. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2000-2006 and is actively involved in various charities. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1991, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Pakistan's highest civilian award) in 1998, an award that late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray asked him to return.

He refused, saying, “This award was given to me for the humane activities to which I have dedicated myself. I have worked for the poor; I have worked for many years to bridge the cultural and communal gaps between India and Pakistan. Politics and religion have created these boundaries.”

The actor is quite active on Twitter himself and his last update came when he went for Aamir Khan's Talaash premier. Thus people are wishing him through Twitter as they are sure that he will receive their wishes. Javed Akhtar wrote on Twitter, “In my dictionary Dilip Kumar means dignity, depth, sensitivity, subtlety, sophistication and class. Happy birthday Dilip saheb.” Rajdeep Sardesai also wished the legend with few words on Twitter, “Suprabhat. Happy bday to the original bollywood superstar. Dilip Kumar turns 90!” Fans and well wishers all over the world are wishing the legendary actor on his birthday.