Dilip Kumar was born on 11th December 1922 as Mohammed Yusuf Khan at his family home in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, British India. He had 11 siblings, and his father Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan was a fruit merchant.
Kumar did his schooling at Barnes School, Deolali, Nashik, and grew up in the same neighborhood as Raj Kapoor. Kumar and Kapoor were childhood friends and later featured together in the film Andaz (1949).
The veteran actor made his debut with the 1944 release Jwar Bhata. But, the movie didn’t do well at the box office. It was the 1947 release Jugnu that established him as a leading star. In the 40s, he later featured in successful films like Shaheed (1948), Mela (1948), and Andaz (1949).
The 50s was one of the best decades for Kumar. He starred in many successful films in that decade like Jogan (1950), Hulchul (1951), Deedar (1951), Daag (1952), Aan (1952), Sangdil (1952), Amar (1954), Uran Khatola (1955), Devdas (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Madhumati (1958), and others. For his performance in movies like Daag, Azaad, Devdas, and Naya Daur he won Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
He continued his successful run at the box office in the 60s, but there was a drop in the number of movies that he did during that decade. In the 60s, his most popular film was K Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam. The big-budget historical movie, which also featured Madhubala, was a blockbuster at the box office. It became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time until Sholay (1975) was released.
In the 60s, Kumar featured in many other successful films like Kohinoor (1960), Gunga Jumna (1961), Leader (1964), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), and others. In the 50s and 60s, Dilip Kumar starred in many movies with Vyjayanthimala and Madhubala. His pairing with these two actresses was loved by the audiences.
An actor’s life sees a lot of ups and downs and Kumar also faced failures. In the 70s, there was a downfall in his career as his films Gopi (1970), Dastaan (1972), Sagina (1974), and Bairaag (1976) didn’t do well at the box office.
But, in 1981, Dilip Kumar made a smashing comeback with Kranti which was a super hit at the box office. In the 80s, he featured some successful films like Shakti (1982), Vidhaata (1982), Mashaal (1984), Karma (1986), and others.
Izzatdaar (1990), Saudagar (1991), and Qila (1998) were his last three films. From these three movies, it is Saudagar that is still remembered by the audiences.
Dilip Kumar had won eight Filmfare Best Actor Awards, and in 1993 he was honoured with Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received a Special Recognition Award at the 50th Filmfare Awards.
In 1991, Kumar was honoured with Padma Bhushan and received a Padma Vibhushan in 2015. He also received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. In 2007, he was honoured with The Life Time Achievement award at the 54th National Film Awards.
Indian President Pratibha Patil (L) presents The Life Time Achievement award to Dilip Kumar (R) at the 54th National Film Awards Function in New Delhi on September 2, 2007. Patil presented the awards for best feature film, Best actor and actors and best director of Indian Cinema. AFP PHOTO/Prakash SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP via Getty Images)
Well, not just India, but Kumar was honoured by Pakistan as well. In 1998, the Government of Pakistan conferred Kumar with Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award in Pakistan.
While his films always grabbed the attention of his fans, his personal life was also the talk of the town. It was said that Kumar was in love with Madhubala and they were in a relationship for seven years before breaking up.
Later, there were reports that the actor was dating Vyjayanthimala. However, in 1966, Kumar got married to Saira Banu who was 22 years younger than him. Later, in 1981, Kumar married a girl named Asma Sahiba, but the marriage ended in 1983.
Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Saira Banu has been with Kumar like a strong pillar, and the two have always given us couple goals. Banu and Kumar don’t have any kids, and while talking about it in his autobiography, Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow, the veteran actor had written that the actress had conceived in 1972 but there were complications in the pregnancy, which led to the child’s death. Later, they did not try to have children again.
Dilip Kumar passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 98. With his demise, it’s an end of an era.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.