Here is a biography of Dilip Kumar:
Dilip Kumar, widely regarded as the greatest acting exponent India has ever produced, was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, British India (now Pakistan). He was given the stage name Dilip Kumar by actress and owner of Bombay Talkies, Devika Rani.
Kumar's early life was marked by a move to Bombay Province with his family to expand their fruit business, which was halted due to World War II. He had his schooling in Deolali and graduation in Mumbai. He worked in an army canteen in Pune, where he gave a speech justifying India's struggle for independence, leading to his eviction from the canteen. A chance encounter with Devika Rani led to his opportunity to work for Bombay Talkies, at a salary of Rs 1250/- per month.
Kumar's film career began with Jwara Bhata (1944),which was a moderate success, but his performance was criticized by major critic Baburao Patel. His next film, Pratima (1945),was a flop, and his work was again criticized. However, his performance in Milan (1946) improved, and he began to gain recognition.
The success of Jugnu (1947),the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, established Kumar as the first star of Post-Independence India. His performance was appreciated by Baburao Patel, and he became known as the "Tragedy King" for his intense performances.
The 1950s were the most prolific decade of Kumar's career, with 21 releases, including Andaz (1949),Aan (1952),and Mughal-e-Azam (1960). He won numerous awards, including eight Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, and was the inaugural recipient of the award.
Kumar's personal life was marked by relationships with actresses Kamini Kaushal and Madhubala, and his marriage to actress Saira Banu in 1966. He took a five-year hiatus from acting in the 1970s and returned with Kranti (1981),the highest-grossing Indian film of the decade.
Kumar continued to act in films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including Vidhaata (1982),Karma (1986),and Saudagar (1991). He won numerous awards, including the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
Kumar died on July 7, 2021, due to kidney complications and other age-related issues. He was survived by his wife Saira Banu and had no children. He holds several records, including the most awards won by an Indian actor, the most highest-grossing films of the year, and the longest streak of clean hits.
Throughout his career, Kumar was praised by numerous luminaries, including Satyajit Ray, who called him the "ultimate method actor." He was also considered for roles in films directed by David Lean, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Kumar's impact on Indian cinema was immense, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time.
