– BY REEMA CHHABDA
Dilip Kumar, widely known as one of the finest performers of all time, died on Wednesday in Mumbai. He was 98 years old at the time. During his illustrious career, he appeared in some of India’s most iconic films, redefining the foundations of acting in the process. Here are seven flicks that demonstrate his inexhaustible talent.
Devdas, 1955:
Dilip Kumar was the original Devdas before Shah Rukh Khan and Abhay Deol could show the world their renditions of this lovesick hero. Dilipji earned a Filmfare award for his performance in this Bimal Roy film, and it is widely regarded as one of his greatest. He was the first choice when it came to casting because of the compassion with which he performed the character of a doomed lover.
Daag, 1952:
Daag will be remembered as the film in which Dilip Kumar received the first ever Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Shankar. In the film, his character is the sole breadwinner who, under the strain of supporting his widowed mother, succumbs to alcoholism. He gets sober for a while, but a missed love opportunity and his mother’s death push him back into drinking. He redeems himself and turns his life around in the end. The film was a box office success.
Ram aur shyam, 1967:
Dilip Kumar showed off his comic timing in Ram Aur Shyam, in which he played two brothers, Ram and Shyam. This was his first time playing a dual character, and in the process, he introduced a new genre to Hindi cinema. Many additional double-role films were made, focusing on the funny occurrences that occur when the brothers switch places.
Mughal-e-Azam, 1960:
Mughal-e-Azam, a historical film released in 1960 and which remained the second highest-grossing film in Bollywood history until 2008, was a blessing for Hindi cinema. Dilipji provided a subtle portrayal as Salim, letting the sadness of a simple but determined lady at heart to shine through. Madhubala’s Anarkali shines on film. The result was a famous Bollywood film that is now remembered as a cult classic.
Saudagar, 1991:
This film, based on Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, came much later in Kumar’s career. He co-starred in it with another former actor, Raaj Kumar, as a pair of buddies from a poor and wealthy household, respectively. When Raaj Kumar wishes to marry his sister to Dilip Kumar, her in-laws demand dowry, their relationship suffers. In the end, however, the two die as friends in each other’s arms as a result of issues arising from the deeds of their future descendants.
Madhumati, 1958:
Madhumati, directed by Bimal Roy and starring Vyjayanthimala and Pran alongside Dilip Kumar, is another classic film. Madhumati was a narrative of reincarnation and spooky haunted mansions, and for the first time, such cliches made our spines tingle rather than make us laugh. After all, Madhumati was supported by a compelling tale and equally compelling performances by the cast.
Karma, 1986:
Karma, directed by Subhash Ghai, was another legendary film in which Dilip Kumar gave a memorable performance. Dilip Kumar, as Rana Vishwa Pratap Singh, an ex-high-ranking police officer, recruits three death-row inmates to help him avenge his family’s murder when a terrorist kills them. Dilip Kumar’s revenge drama Karma has become a classic.
