Dilip Kumar's passing away a loss to our cultural world: PM Narendra Modi

Dilip Kumar. File Pic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the demise of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, saying he will be remembered as a cinematic legend and his passing away is a loss to our cultural world.

Dilip Kumar, India's enduring film legend through the decades, died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday after prolonged illness, his family and doctors treating him said. He was 98.

Also Read: Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar passes away at the age of 98

"Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

"His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP," he added.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday also condoled the thespian's demise, saying he will live forever in the heart of India.

"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," he tweeted.

Home Minister Amit Shah remembered the legendary actor and said, "He has entertained generations of cinema lovers with his incredible acting and iconic roles. My sincerest condolences to Dilip Ji's family and followers."

Union Minister Smriti Irani also expressed her tribute on social media by posting a black and white picture of the legendary actor. She wrote, "End of an era… Om Shanti."

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condoled the passing away of the veteran actor saying that his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come.

"My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dilip Kumar ji. His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come," he tweeted.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday paid homage to the thespian, saying his demise meant the end of an era for Bollywood.

"The demise of well-known actor of the Hindi film world Dilip Kumar is the end of a chapter of Bollywood. The magnificent acting by Yusuf sahab was like a university in the field of art. He will live in our hearts. May the almighty accept his soul. Humble tributes," the chief minister tweeted in Hindi.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati also condoled the demise of the legendary actor.

"Dilip Kumar was a veteran of Indian cinema and an inspiration to innumerable artists. His death is an irreparable loss to the film world. I pray to God to give peace to his soul and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this loss," Adityanath said in a tweet in Hindi.

SP supremo Yadav posted a picture from his own wedding of the actor standing beside the newly married couple.

"Death cant take him away. His memory cannot be taken away from those who love him," he said in a tweet in Hindi with a mention of the character of Saleem which was portrayed by Kumar in the movie ''Mughal-e-Azam''.

"You cant go anywhere... Condolences," Yadav said.

BSP supremo Mayawati said the news of Dilip Kumar's demise was saddening.

"I express my condolences to Saira Bano and his fans. You will always be remembered," she added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Kumar's inimitable style of acting will remain engraved among film lovers for generations.

"Crestfallen at the passing of a beacon in cinema. Deeply anguished to learn about the demise of veteran actor Dilip Kumar ji. His inimitable style of acting will remain engraved among film lovers for generations. My heartfelt condolences to Saira Banu, his family and millions of fans," she tweeted.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared a collage of Dilip Kumar's various characters from films such as 'Naya Daur', 'Madhumati', 'Mughal-e-Azam etc. in which the actor had worked. He added, "Dilip Kumar was an institution himself when it came to acting and his contribution will never be forgotten in Indian cinema."

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan mourned the loss of Kumar by calling him an exceptional artist and a human being and his work will continue to inspire future generations. The two-time chief minister wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dilip Kumar, one of the legends of Indian cinema. He was exceptional, both as an artist and as a human being. His works and life will endure the test of time and continue to inspire future generations. Heartfelt condolences."

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday expressed his condolences and said Kumar's rich contributions to films would always be remembered.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury condoled the demise of the veteran actor and said he learnt the meaning of strength of character from him. "An irreparable loss. My generation grew up with his roles shaping our consciousness. I had the fortune to be his colleague in Parliament and learnt the meaning of strength of character (from him). Deepest condolences to Saira ji and crores of his fans," Yechury tweeted.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, too, paid his heartfelt condolences on the demise of the Padma Vibhushan awardee. Sarma took to social media site Twitter and wrote, "India today has lost one of her most illustrious sons, a legendary artist and an extraordinary actor ~ Dilip Kumar Sahab. I deeply mourn his demise and recall the everlasting contributions he made to Indian cinema. It's curtains down on the Golden era. Heartfelt Condolences (sic)."

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, MDMK chief Vaiko and actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday condoled the death of legendary actor Dilip Kumar.

Expressing shock and grief over the death of the veteran actor, Purohit said Kumar was regarded as one of the greatest actors that India has ever seen and the thespian was honoured with several awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke, the highest honour in the field of cinema.

"Mohammed Yusuf Khan, known professionally and popularly as Dilip Kumar was a nice gentleman, who spent his life time for Hindi cinema." Dilip Kumar's demise is an irreparable loss to the people and particularly Indian cinema, the Governor said in a statement.

"I convey my deep condolences to the bereaved members of the family and pray to the Almighty God to rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to overcome this unfathomable loss."

MDMK chief Vaiko said Kumar had millions of fans through his realistic acting skills and recalled his interactions with the actor when he was a member of the Rajya Sabha. A nice man and a good actor, Kumar's fame would linger on forever, he said.

Top Tamil star and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan tweeted saying Kumar's career taught many actors like him a standard and commitment in performance.

"Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting. His understated approach is still tried by contemporary actors who are brave enough to attempt it."

Kumar, known to generations of film-goers as ''tragedy king'' for his portrayal of the brooding, intense romantic in classics such as ''Mughal-e-Azam'' and ''Devdas'', had been admitted to the Hinduja Hospital, a non-Covid-19 facility in Khar, since last Tuesday.

Kumar, born Yousuf Khan and often known as the Nehruvian hero, did his first film ''Jwar Bhata'' in 1944 and his last ''Qila'' in 1998, 54 years later. The five-decade career included "Mughal-e-Azam", "Devdas", "Naya Daur", and "Ram Aur Shyam", and later, as he graduated to character roles, ''Shakti'' and ''Karma''.

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