Dilip Kumar was an institution, says actor’s lawmaker nephew

INDIAN thespian Dilip Kumar was not just an actor but an institution and people like him are born once in a century, Pakistan's senator and the actor's nephew Mohsin Aziz said on Monday (12).

At a condolence meet held in Peshawar in memory of Kumar, the Pakistani lawmaker threw light on his life, career, character and his attachment with Peshawar where the actor was born.

Kumar, who was born on December 11, 1922 at his ancestral home in Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, died at a hospital in Mumbai last week after a prolonged illness. His original name was Yousuf Khan.

"Actors like Kumar are born once in a century. He was not just an actor, but an institution”, Aziz said.

“He was a thorough gentleman and down to earth person who won the hearts of thousands and millions of people through his hard work,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader said.

He was a great social worker and contributed generously for humanity,” Aziz said.

In 1998, the Pakistan government honoured Kumar with the 'Nishan-e-Imtiaz', the country's highest civilian award.

Pakistan's top leadership and people showed their adulation for the actor last week, with president Arif Alvi describing Kumar as "an outstanding actor, a humble man, and a dignified personality".

Condoling Kumar's death, prime minister Imran Khan said he can never forget his generosity in helping to raise funds for a trust to set up cancer hospitals in his mother's memory.

Often known as the Nehruvian hero, he did his first film 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944 and his last 'Qila' in 1998, 54 years later. The five-decade career included 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Devdas', 'Naya Daur', and 'Ram Aur Shyam', and later, as he graduated to character roles, 'Shakti' and 'Karma'.

The actor is survived by his wife Saira Banu.