The 99th birthday of late Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar is being celebrated on Saturday by his frantic fans across the world.

In connection to the birthday of an iconic figure, Dilip’s wife and actress Saira Banu wrote a heartfelt note for an Indian news outlet and expressed her for quiet remembrance on the occasion. Some of her penned statement included: “The fact is that Dilip Saheb was very happy and proud that he was born in an undivided India and he grew up in a large, happy family which was united by the bonds of respect for elders, cared for the younger members and women and had unflinching trust in one another.”

Dilip whose real name was Muhammad Yusuf Khan was popularly dubbed as “Tragedy King” for his unmatchable depressive roles and contribution to the method acting.

Dilip was noted for his natural acting and not being over dramatic. By adopting such skill, Dilip became a powerhouse of the Bollywood industry in no time.

The acting magician gave his first Bollywood appearance in the film Jwar Bhata (1944) as ‘Jagdish’.

Dilip Kumar belonged to the Awan Muslim family, being one of the twelve children of Late Ghulam Sarwar Khan and his spouse Ayesha Begum. For some, it may sound strange that Dilip’s father was a fruit merchant.

Born in Peshawar’s Qissa Khawani Bazaar area on 11 December 1922, Dilip Kumar was schooled at Barnes School, Deolali. In 1940, Dilip’s moved to Pune, where his father set up a canteen and fruit shop. As of the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, Dilip’s family decided to remain in Bombay.

Dilip Kumar’s acclaimed movie 'Mughal-E-Azam (1960)' with Madhubala is still a treat to watch for the fans from all over the world.

This veteran actor has been awarded the 'Padma Bhushan', 'Padma Vibhushan', 'Nishane Imityaz' and 'Dada Saheb Phalke Awards'. Not only this, there is even more, yes, Dilip Kumar has managed to keep his name in the 'Guinness World Records'. He was the first to receive the Filmfare Awards for Best Actor. Dilip Kumar has earned all of this with just 56 films since he gave his first hit in 1949.

Meanwhile, it was in 1988 that when Dilip headed to Pakistan and passionately went to Peshawar, his native city. As he arrived at his ancestral house, he kissed the ground. It was about ten years later that Dilip was honoured by the Pakistani government with its highest civilian honour, the “Nishan-e-Imtiaz.”

Moreover, in 1951, when the Pakistan cricket team first time toured India, the squad at time had a privilege to capture a memory with a historical snap alongside Dilip Kumar.

In the picture, Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar is sitting in the centre holding a cigarette in his fingers.

Few legendry players (who were not legendary then) seen in the picture are: Imtiaz Ahmed, Waqar Hassan, Nazar Muhammad, fast bowlers Khan Mohammad and Mahmood Hussain. Another Indian actor Prem Nath is sitting wearing a white suit and tie.

In the glorious picture, Dilip seemed to be happy as this was his first meeting with parental home youngsters soon after the partition of the subcontinent.

Suffering from various ailments including testicular cancer and pleural effusion, the legendary Dilip Kumar passed away on July 7, 2021, at the age of 98 years in Mumbai, India. Meanwhile, two of his younger siblings died from Covid-19 in 2020.