PESHAWAR, Jul 07 (APP): Yousaf Khan famous as Dilip Kumar, the most iconic actor of Bollywood who died on Wednesday, saddened thousands of his fans across Pakistan including Peshawar, his birthplace, where people from all walks of life paid rich tributes to him.
The death of Dilip Kumar, who was born at Mohallah Khudadad near historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar Peshawar on December 11, 1922, has deeply shocked thousands of his fans in the province and other parts of the country.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of renowned Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar.
In a statement, the minister said that Dilip Kumar’s death marked the end of a golden era in the world of film.
He said that Yusuf Khan who became Dilip Kumar in Indian film industry enjoyed extraordinary fame.
He was an artist with a great talent from whom actors learned the art of acting.
Apart from being an attractive personality, he received immense love and respect from the people for his artistic talent, said Chaudhry Fawad.
He said wherever Urdu is spoken and understood, Dilip Kumar has his lovers.
He said the death of legendary actor was a great loss for the film world and movie buffs.
He will live in the hearts of his fans for his versatile work, said Fawad Hussain.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.
Special Assistant for Information and Higher Education Kamran Bangash and nephew of Dilip Kumar, Senator Mohsin Aziz also expressed grief and sorrow over sad demise of son of Peshawar and Bollywood legend Yousuf Khan also known as Dilip Kumar.
In his condolence message, Kamran Bangash said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the government were equally grieved over the death of Dilip Kumar and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of tragedy.
Bangash said that Dilip Kumar had great love and affection for his ancestral city Peshawar, adding that the city of Peshawar would always remember him and he would live in hearts and minds of people forever.
The legendary star Dilip Kumar died at the age of 98. He had been admitted at hospital on June 6 after experiencing breathlessness, confirmed by his spokesperson Faisal Farooqi on his twitter account.
Meanwhile, the nephew of Dilip Kumar, Senator Mohsin Aziz also expressed condolence over the sad demise and prayed eternal peace for the departed soul. He said Dilip Kumar was a very loving, decent and educated personality.
The absentia funeral prayer of Yousuf Khan would be offered at his ancestral place “Mohala Khudadad” in Peshawar city at the time to be fixed for funeral prayer in Mumbai.
The Peshawar Press Club also announced three-day mourning for the Bollywood star where Fateha would be held and condolence reference would also be arranged.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Shibli Faraz also expressed deep sorrow over the sad demise of the veteran Bollywood actor, Dilip Kumar.
In a tweet, the federal minister expressed his condolences to the family of the legendary artist.
The federal minister also shared a photo of his father Ahmed Faraz with Dilip Kumar.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar expressed his heartfelt condolence over the death of legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar.
In a statement issued here, the CM said that Dilip Kumar ruled the hearts of people for a long time and his death had concluded an era of the film industry.
The CM also extended sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed that may Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the demise of Iconic Indian actor Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Khan) who passed away after a protracted illness in Mumbai (India) at the age of 98.
Sarwar tweeted on Wednesday and said that Dilip Kumar was a great human being besides being a successful actor who ruled Indian film industry for decades, adding that his services in the world of art would be remembered forever.
Reminiscing on Dilip Kumar’s visit to a Mosque in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1986, the Governor said the memory of that meeting with the legendary actor was still fresh in his mind, adding that it was a meeting full of warmth and friendliness.
The Punjab Governor extended condolences to his family and said that his heart goes out to the family in this moment of utmost grief and loss.
“I am deeply shocked after hearing that my uncle is no more in this world,” said Faud Ishaq, nephew of Dilip Kumar and former President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) while talking to APP. “With his said demise, a golden era of film Industry came to an end,” he said.
“My uncle has special love for Peshawar and whenever he got some spare time visited his born place and openly intermingled with Peshawarties and his family members,” Faud Ishaq recalled.
“When Dilip Uncle visited Peshawar in 1998, he exclusively requested for Peshawari Chappal and Kurta Pajama being his favorite shoe and dress that was provided by his family,” he said, adding he was very polite, humble and highly educated having complete command over English, Urdu, Hindko, Pashto and Hindi languages.
“To see few glimpses of Dilip Kumar, hundreds of thousands of his fans gathered in front of his five marla house at Qissa Khwani bazaar to welcome their versatile legend actor, who was highly overwhelmed by Peshawarities’ hospitality,” he said, adding Dilap’s has special love for people of Peshawar being his hometown, centuries old Qissa Khwani bazaar, Balahisar Fort and visited it whenever he came here. “Dilip Kumar death was a great loss and his memories would continue to live in our hearts.”
“My uncle has always laid emphasis on acquiring higher education as he believed that education was the only tool to achieve success in every field including politics, economy and film industry,” he said.
“Dilip Kumar’s real name was Yousaf Khan. He alongwith family had migrated to Mumbai in 1930 as his father was associated with business and was permanently settled there,” he said. His wife Saira Bano had motivated him during his nearly 60 years film career and showed great dedication and professional commitment to his profession.
“Dilip Kumar’s casting was considered the success of movies especially romantic, love and tragic films during his six decades long rule on Bollywood with over 65 succesful films in his credit. The most popular films of Dilip were Naya Door (1957), Gang Jamna (1961), Deodas (1955), Kohinoor (1960), Leader (1946), Babul (1949), Andaz (1949), Paigam (1959), Foothpath (1953), Mashall (1984) and Karma (1986) which were still popular among the people.
Faud Ishaq said keeping in view of meritorious services of Dilip Kumar in bringing people of both the countries closer through his unique performances, the Government of Pakistan had decorated him with the civil award “Nishan e Imtiaz”.
Faisal Farooqi, a family friend also expressed shock and sorrow over the sad demise of Dilip Kumar and termed his death was a great loss for the world cinema industry. The legacy left by Dilip Kumar could hardly be fulfilled, he added.
Lateef ur Rehman, Spokesman of KP Archeology, Sports and Tourism Department while expressing grief and sorrow over sad demise of hero of Mughal e Azam said KP Government has taken over the possession of four marla house of Dilip Kumar and six marla Havali of Indian Cinema legend Raj Kapoor built in 1918-22 at Qissa Khwanai in 2020 and it would soon be converted into a museum. He said both houses were declared as Protected Monument under Antiquity Act of 1997 and rehabilitation work would soon start.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan expressed sorrow over sad demise of the legendary actor and said “a golden chapter of world film industry has been closed after his sad demise.” He said the Peshawari born legend would continue to live in people’s heart besides his rich services in films world would be remembered for long.
