Remembering Dilip Kumar: 9 Memorable Performances By The First Superstar Of Indian Cinema
niharika nayakBA (Media & Communication) Experience: 4 yearsNiharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... more
Image: Twitter
There are plenty of people in life who need no introduction. Dilip Kumar was one of them. The veteran actor took his last breath today, at 98, after suffering from a prolonged illness. His life is nothing that one would call ordinary. Dilip Kumar was born as Yusuf Khan in December of 1922 in pre-independence Peshawar (then, still a part of India). He grew up as the son of a fruit merchant, and his family eventually settled down in Nashik in the mid-30s.
Actress Devika Rani came across him at a military canteen in Pune and asked him to audition as an actor. Devika and her husband Himanshu Rai had already established a film studio in Mumbai called Bombay Talkies, and they offered Dilip his very first role in the film, Jwar Bhata (1944). Although the film didn’t turn out to be the blockbuster they had hoped for, it served as a launching pad for Dilip. The rest, as they say, is history. Well, we’ve had a tough time narrowing down the list of Dilip Kumar’s best performances, but here are nine of his finest performances.
1. Andaz (1949)
Andaz was probably the first blockbuster that featured an ensemble cast of three up-and-coming stars. The story followed a love triangle and featured Dilip Kumar, Nargis, and Raj Kapoor. It was directed by Mehboob Khan and was well ahead of its time. The film was praised for its modern portrayal of a convent school-educated era where women openly made advances towards men and were confident.
2. Jogan (1950)
For those who are major fans of actor Shah Rukh Khan, Jogan is a must-see as it featured the actor as a child. In the film, Dilip played a cynical atheist who liked to live in the moment, while Nargis played a jogan (someone who has given up all material pursuits and dedicated herself to God). It’s interesting to see how their worlds collide. Fair warning, though, if you are looking for happy endings, this isn’t the movie for you.
3. Deedar (1951)
Tragedy had found a reigning champion in Dilip Kumar when he played the role of a singer who lost his eyesight. A kind doctor named Ashok cures him, but they later realize that they have both fallen for the same woman (played by Nargis). Nargis plays Dilip’s character’s childhood sweetheart but doesn’t remember him as an adult. Despite him singing her songs that they sang as children, she doesn’t seem to remember their time together.
4. Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Mughal-e-Azam, to this very date, is one of the grandest period pieces crafted in Hindi cinema. It took director, K. Asif, more than ten years to finish it. The film starred Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Prithviraj Kapoor. In the film, Dilip and Madhula played ill-fated lovers. The cruel irony was that the pair had actually dated off-screen and were going through a bitter break-up during the film’s shooting. Despite the pair not being on good terms off-screen, you’d never be able to tell if you saw them in the film.
5. Ram Aur Shyam (1967)
Ram Aur Shyam was one of Dilip Kumar’s most exciting roles in that he played not one role but two! Playing one role is challenging enough, but playing two different ones in the same film is another achievement. Dilip succeeded in giving both his characters to incredibly unique personalities. The story follows twins Shyam and Ram, who grow up under entirely different circumstances as they are separated after being born. Ram grows up to be more of a bumpkin and is constantly berated by his sister’s brother, while Shyam ends up as a street-smart and worldly man.
6. Dastaan (1972)
Dastaan sees Dilip playing a character with both grey and white shades in this Hitchcock-esque thriller film. Director BR Chopra wanted to work on this film with Dilip Kumar ages ago but was unable to. It then went to another leading actor, Ashok Kumar. The film was called Afsana (1952). However, Dilip later changed his mind and stated that he wanted to work with Chopra. Hence, the director reprised his own film and changed the love triangle aspect of it into a thriller.
7. Sagina (1974)
Sagina is a Hindi remake of a popular Bengali film called Sagina Mahato (1971). Both of these films had the same actors, Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar, and despite Dilip being 50 plus years, he looked ever-young. He portrayed a free-spirited individual who stumbles upon the chance to lead an oppressed group. This film is one of Dilip’s most astounding performances.
8. Shakti (1982)
Shakti has to be one of Ramesh Sippy’s most memorable films. It brought the superstar of that time, Amitabh Bachchan, front and center with his idol, Dilip Kumar. The pair played father-son in the film and features Amitabh in his typical “Angry Young Man” persona as the son of a police officer who has resorted to a life of crime. Dilip Kumar’s character has to go through the ultimate test when he has to catch his son before he does more damage.
9. Mashaal (1984)
In Mashaal, Dilip played an angry older man who decided to start a newspaper to fight against a corrupt system. However, due to unavoidable circumstances (watch the film to find out), he is forced to take up arms. In the movie, Anil Kapoor stars as Dilip Kumar’s protege, and it truly feels incredible to see both the talented actors perform in this role.
Indian cinema truly lost a legend today, but it’s lovely to see the incredible legacy he has left behind. Dilip Kumar was from a generation of greats and talents and is the perfect example of a self-made actor. His method acting skills were unparalleled, and he shall forever remain etched in the hearts of fans. Do let us know which Dilip Kumar film was your favorite in the comments down below!
