NEW DELHI, July 7, 2021 (BSS) - Bollywood’s veteran actor Dilip Kumar passed away at 7.30 am today at PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai due to prolonged illness. He was 98.

Dilip Kumar, who is popularly called as “tragedy king” left behind a legacy of films that spanned six decades, and gave Hindi movie some of its most enduring classics. His funeral will be held later today. 

Dr Jalil Parkar, the pulmonologist treating Dilip Kumar at the hospital confirmed the news to media saying "with a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago."

The veteran actor had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathlessness on June 30, media reports said quoting family sources.

On June 6, Dilip Kumar was hospitalised after a similar complaint when he was diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion.

He was discharged from the hospital after five days when his condition was improving.

Born as Yusuf Khan in Peshawar on December 11, 1922, the young Dilip Kumar went to school in Deolali, Maharashtra, where his fruit merchant father owned orchards.

 In 1940, Dilip Kumar moved to Pune and set up shop supplying dry fruits and running a canteen.

Three years later, actress Devika Rani and her husband actor-director Himanshu Rai spotted him in a military canteen and cast him as the lead in 1944's Jwar Bhata.

Author Bhagwati Charan Varma changed his name from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar and the young actor took his first tentative steps towards stardom.

Dilip Kumar debuted as an actor in the film Jwar Bhata (1944). In a career spanning over five decades, Kumar worked in over 65 films.

He is known for roles in films such as the romantic Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the social drama Daag (1952), the dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), the epic historical Mughal-e-Azam (1960), the social dacoit crime drama Gunga Jamuna (1961), and the comedy Ram Aur Shyam (1967).

Described by Satyajit Ray as "the ultimate method actor," Dilip Kumar's resume contains many of Indian cinema's landmark, genre-defining roles.

His performances as the drunken, doomed lover in Devdas and the rebellious royal son in Mughal-e-Azam have been endlessly referenced by his successors on-screen. 

The legendary actor lost his two brothers due to Covid-19 over the course of just two weeks last year. He is survived by his wife, Saira Banu.

President of India Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Dilip Kumar, the Bollywood legend.

In a message, the President said “Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent.”

“With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. Condolences to family and countless fans”.

In separate message,  the Prime Minister said, “Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled”.

“His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP. (sic)," PM Modi tweeted.

Besides, condolences are pouring in at the death of the legendary actor who would be remain alive in the hearts of millions of cinema loving people across the border.