Legendary actor Dilip Kumar turned 94 on Sunday and celebrated it in hospital.
Kumar was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra on Tuesday after noticing swelling in his right leg.
“He is resting now. He is in the ICU, but he is doing well, there is nothing to worry [about]. Close family and friends have been visiting him since morning. We will cut the cake once he is awake. It will be a quiet birthday this time,” his wife, veteran actress Saira Banu, said on Sunday.
“We are thankful to all the fans and media for their love and well wishes. He will be in hospital today, he is not getting discharged,” she said.
Last year, Kumar had a quiet birthday celebration as a mark of solidarity with the victims of deluge in Chennai.
Born in Peshawar as Yousuf Khan, the actor adopted the screen name Dilip Kumar.
He made his debut in acting with Jwar Bhata in 1944 and went on to give memorable performances in films such as Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jaumna, Devdas, Andaz, Babul, Aan, Amar, Shaheed, Naya Daur, Madhumati, Ram Aur Shyam, Shakti and Mashaal among others.
Kumar portrayed tragic roles through the 1940s, 50s and 60s in films such as Mela, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard Liya and others, which gave him the moniker ‘Tragedy King of Bollywood’.
Later, he moved to doing lighter roles in films such as Ram Aur Shyam, Tarana and Kohinoor and showed his versatility.
He was last seen on-screen in the 1998 film Qila.
Kumar was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
The Pakistan government also honoured him with its highest civilian honour — Nishan-e-Imtiaz — in 1997.
Actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Rishi Kapoor and other Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to wish “the greatest actor” on his birthday.
“To the greatest Dilip Kumar on his birthday, Dec 11, wishes prayers and duas for good health and happiness,” Bachchan wrote.
Calling him the “Aakhri Mughal of the Hindi film industry”, Azmi tweeted, “Salgirah mubarak [happy anniversary] @TheDilipKumar. You have been such an inspiration to millions. Respect.”
Kapoor posted, “Many Happy Returns of this day to our dearest Yusuf Uncle! God Bless! Love, respects and affection-”Sunny Boy”!”
