The Iconic Dilip Kumar
By Intikhab Amir
Dated December 2001
Dilip Kumar is 79 today. As he enters 80th year of his earthly existence, he continues to be the role model for those youngsters who want a career in the film industry.
In point of fact, for the last five decades, he has been role model for film heroes all across the sub-continent. Many of them have tried to emulate his style but no one could touch heights of acting touched by Dilip.
Who could think then that a boy born on 11th December 1922 in a small house located in Dooma Gali, Muhallah Khuda Daad Peshawar city would one day shine on the horizons of the Indo-Pakistan filmdom for better part of 20th century? Decidedly, one does come across big names in the Film Industry like Raj Kapoor, Devanand, Amitabh, Dharmendra, Jeetandar, Vinod Khanna, Rajesh Khanna, Nadeem, Muhammed Ali, to mention a few, but they pale in comparison with Dilip.
The Thespian from Peshawar city, it appears, has everything natural about him: expression on his face of sadness or love; of hate or smile; delivery of dialogue and his pronunciation. He has rightly been called as King of Tragedy. But Govinda says his comic roles too are simply superb. Dilip’s stature has grown with age. He is becoming graceful by the day. Age hasn’t done much harm to him. He appears to be ageless and matchless.
In a film career spanned over 55 years, he hasn’t worked in more than 55 films, which, in other words, means on average one file a year. Dilip never compromised quality over quantity and therein perhaps laid the secrets of his longevity. Some of his films, no doubt didn’t click at the box office. But there never has been a film in which Dilip himself ever flopped.
From Jhawar Bhatta to Qilla, Dilip had performed a variety of roles. Daagh, Deedar, Devdas, Naya Daur, Paigham, Aadmi, Ram aur Shiyam, Gunga Jamna, Mughl-e-Azam, Shaheed, Insaniyat, Jogan, Hulchul, Andaz, Tarana, Leader, Jugno, Aan, Amar, Sangdil, Arzoo, Foorpath, Shakti, Karma, Mashaaland Dil Diya Dar Liya are some of his classic movies.
Even after decades of their release, these films don’t look old. These will remain evergreen for such treasurers of art are ageless and as long as films are made, newcomers in film industry will continue to hanker after the heights set up by Dilip. Amitabh was certainly right when on the occasion of conferment of award of actor of the millennium on him he said “he simply cannot reach the heights achieved by Dilip Kumar.”
This perfectionist from Peshawar city lately, has not been keeping good health, which is a cause of concern for millions of his fans who pray for his health.
Published in Dawn newspaper on December 11, 2001.
