Advertisement

Legendary Indian film actor Dilip Kumar breathed his last on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with illness. He was 98.

Dilip Kumar, also called the ‘Tragedy King’, suffered from advanced prostate cancer that had spread to other organs of his body. He was admitted to the hospital recently for bilateral pleural effusion and was discharged after five days following a successful pleural aspiration procedure.

On Wednesday, June 6, the legendary actor was admitted once again to Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital after complaining of uneasiness. Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating Dilip Kumar, was the first to confirm his passing.

Dilip Kumar leaves behind a legacy that spanned six decades in Indian cinema and is survived by his 76-year-old wife and former actress Saira Banu.

The legendary actor was a philanthropist, and together with his wife provided aid to the needy over the years. One such event included a charity cricket match in January 1962 when Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar took their on-screen rivalry to the pitch to raise money for the Cine Workers Relief Fund in Mumbai.

Joy Bhattacharjya, former director of the Kolkata team in the Indian T20 League, called Dilip Kumar a peerless actor.

The Indian cricket fraternity took to Twitter to offer their condolences to Dilip Kumar’s family while paying homage to the impact he created as a generational icon.

Dilip Kumar, whose roots lie in the modern-day city of Peshawar in Pakistan, also received tributes from across the border, including current Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Featured image: Twitter / Praful Patel

Advertisement