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Wednesday November 13, 2024

A look at Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar's life: In photos

Because of his brooding good looks, tousled hair and deep voice, Dilip Kumar was nicknamed 'Tragedy King'

By Web Desk
July 07, 2021
A look at Bollywood legend Dilip Kumars life: In photos

Bollywood icon Dilip Kumar struggled with family pressure and poverty before he made it big on silver screens as one of Indian cinema's finest stars. 

Along with Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, he was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s, enjoying a career spanning more than 50 years and nearly 60 films.

Because of his brooding good looks, tousled hair and deep voice, Kumar was nicknamed 'The Tragedy King' as he played the lead in some of the Indian film industry's most commercially successful films of the period, earning him iconic status.

But although a Bollywood legend, he missed out on international fame after turning down the chance to play Sherif Ali in David Lean's 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia. The part went to an Egyptian actor, Omar Sharif.

Dilip Kumar was born Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar, then part of British-ruled India. His father was a fruit merchant who took his family to India's entertainment capital in the 1930s.

Here is a glimpse at his life in pictures:

 
Dilip Kumar was born Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar, then part of British-ruled India
Dilip Kumar was born Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922 in Peshawar, then part of British-ruled India
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
Dilip Kumar, who died on Wednesday aged 98, was a shy Muslim fruit seller who fought early failure
Dilip Kumar, who died on Wednesday aged 98, was a shy Muslim fruit seller who fought early failure
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
With Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar was one of the three big names who dominated the golden age of Indian cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s
Dilip Kumar played the lead in some of the Indian film industrys most commercially successful films
Dilip Kumar played the lead in some of the Indian film industry's most commercially successful films