NEW DELHI, July 7 — Legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 98, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported
“With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, a few minutes ago,” said a tweet from Kumar’s Twitter account. “We are from God and to Him we return. Faisal Farooqui.”
Farooqui is Dilip Kumar’s family friend.
Dr Jalil Parker, the doctor treating him, told the media outside the hospital that the actor passed away at 7.30 am IST.
On Monday, Kumar’s wife Saira Banu Khan in a tweet said that the Bollywood star’s health “is improving.”
“We are still in hospital and request your prayers so that Insha’Allah he is healthy and discharged soon,” she had said.
Kumar was born and raised in Peshawar’s historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, or Street of Storytellers. Years before the partition of united India in 1947, he moved to Mumbai (then Bombay) to become an icon of Indian cinema.
Kumar, born Yusuf Khan, took on a Hindu name when he joined the Bollywood industry.
He was admitted to a hospital in the Khar suburb of the financial capital Mumbai last week “to address medical issues.”
“Dilip Saab has been admitted to Hinduja Hospital, Khar to address medical issues related to illness which are frequently expected in a 98-year-old. Your love and prayers are truly appreciated by Saab,” a tweet from Kumar’s account said on June 30.
Having won a number of awards, Kumar’s career spanned more than five decades.
The death of Kumar has left everyone in the country mourning and tributes have started pouring in.
“The greatest. There will never be another Dilip Kumar,” wrote Indian film director Hansal Mehta.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the famous actor will be remembered as a “cinematic legend,” and his death is a “loss to our cultural world.”
“He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP.”
Sources BERNAMA