Dilip Kumar Death Anniversary: From Mohammed Yusuf Khan to the Tragedy King, Here’s His Inspiring Journey

Today, we will be discussing the legendary actor who gave Bollywood several blockbuster movies and became one of the biggest sources of entertainment for audiences in the 1990s. 

By now, you might have guessed that the actor being referred to is none other than Mohammed Yusuf Khan, who entered Bollywood in  1944. Yes, you guessed it absolutely right. However, there is a very interesting point. The fact is that his name was not ‘Dilip Kumar’. His actual name was ‘Mohammed Yusuf Khan’. But, when he entered Bollywood, he adopted the screen name 'Dilip Kumar'.

Therefore, on the 5th death anniversary of the legendary actor, let us go through some significant moments of his life.

Ran a Canteen in His Early Days

Yusuf was born on 11 December 1922 in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar. He was named Mohammed Yusuf Khan by his parents Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan and Ayesha Begum. Yusuf's father was a fruit vendor. In the 1930s, his family moved to Mumbai from Peshawar for business purposes, and Yusuf completed his education at Khalsa College.

By 1940, because of some dispute with his father, Yusuf left home and went to Pune. In Pune, he started working at a British Army Club, making sandwiches, and managing the canteen. Being fluent in both English and Urdu, he succeeded in this venture and managed to save ₹5,000 before returning to Mumbai.

Back in Mumbai, he was trying to find a job when he met his professor Dr. Masani at Churchgate railway station. That meeting transformed Yusuf's life. Dr. Masani introduced Yusuf to Devika Rani, who owned Bombay Talkies, one of the most prominent film studios at that time. Devika Rani was impressed by Yusuf's personality and language skills and offered him a job at her studio with a salary of ₹1,250 per month. Yusuf worked with her while also learning acting.

The Journey from Mohammed Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar

Here is the twist that transformed Yusuf into a completely different identity. Devika Rani offered him three screen names. The three names were Vasudev, Jahangir, and Dilip Kumar. Among the three names, he selected Dilip Kumar.

The most important reason for this name change was his father himself. His father was not at all happy about his entering the film industry. So, he selected the name Dilip Kumar for himself while pursuing his career in films. Hence, from that time onwards, he was known as Dilip Kumar alone and not as Yusuf Khan anymore.

Began His Film Career in 1944

The first movie of Dilip Kumar was Jwar Bhata, which was released in 1944. This black and white film was produced by Bombay Talkies. The film, however, did not do well at the box office.

His first blockbuster movie came in 1947. He acted in Jugnu along with Noor Jehan.

How He Became the “Tragedy King”?

In the beginning of his career, Dilip Kumar portrayed some of the most intense and tragic characters who always ended up either dying or suffering heartbreak. This string of successful roles earned him the title “King of Tragedy.”

Later, he came up with some of the most successful movies like Andaz, Devdas, Madhumati, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, and Ram Aur Shyam, etc.

In his 60 year long film journey, Dilip Kumar won more than 20 awards along with numerous accolades at both the national and international levels. He was also recognised by Guinness World Records for winning the highest number of Best Actor awards in Indian cinema at the time.

Dilip Kumar’s Last Film

The film Qila was released in the year 1998, which was the last film of Dilip Kumar’s career. He gave an outstanding performance by playing dual roles, which were Judge Amarnath Singh and his twin brother Jagannath Singh who was irresponsible and carefree. Rekha was the leading lady in the film. Dilip Kumar had already reached the age of 75 years at the time of the film's release.

Owing to his old age and deteriorating health, Dilip Kumar decided to stop acting in films.

Bollywood’s Shining Star Bids Farewell

Bollywood faced a big setback by losing one of their greatest actors, Dilip Kumar who died on July 7, 2021. Due to his poor health, he passed away at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai at the age of 98.

With the demise of Dilip Kumar, Indian film industry lost one of its biggest stars. However, although Dilip Kumar is no more with us, but his timeless movies continue to keep his legacy alive in Indian cinema.