Bollywood tragedy king Dilip Kumar dies at 98
Veteran Bollywood actor Mohammed Yusuf Khan, world-famous as Dilip Kumar, passed away here in the early hours of Wednesday, his family and aides said.
"With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab a few minutes ago. We are from God and to Him we return," said the thespian's longtime aide Faisal Farooqui in a tweet.
Dilip Kumar had been admitted to the P.D. Hinduja Hospital on June 30 for a variety of age-related health issues. His wife Saira Banu Khan had earlier tweeted about his improving medical condition. But that was a shortlived glimmer of hope.
Dilip Kumar was a cinematic legend: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered his condolences over the demise of veteran actor Dilip Kumar.
Modi said Dilip Kumar will be remembered as a "cinematic legend" and his death is a loss to the cultural world.
"Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.
Dilip Kumar breathed his last on Wednesday morning due to age-related illness.
He was 98. He died at the private Hinduja Hospital where he had been admitted for certain breathing issues.
Lata Mangeshkar: Yusuf bhai is gone, leaving behind his younger sister
Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted to express grief at the demise of Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar on Wednesday.
Tweeting in Hindi, Mangeshkar wrote: "Yusuf bhai aaj apne chhotisi behen ko chhodke chale gaye... Yusuf bhai kya gaye, ek yug ka ant ho gaya, mujhe kuch sujh nahi raha, main bohot dukhi hoon, nishabd hoon, kayee batein, kayee yadein humein deke chale gayen (Yusuf bhai is gone, leaving behind his younger sister. His demise marks the end of an era. I am heartbroken. He has left behind so many memories)."
Mangeshkar was known to tie Rakhi on Dilip Kumar's wrist every year.
"Yusuf bhai pichhle kayee salon se bimar they, kisiko pehchaan nahi paate the, aise waqt Saira bhabhi ne sab chhodkar unki dinraat seva kee hai, unke liye doosra kuch jeevan nahi tha. Aisi aurat ko main pranam karti hoon aur Yusuf bhai ki aatma ko shanti miley yeh dua karti hoon (Yusuf bhai had been keeping unwell since the past few years and was unable to recognise anyone. During this time Saira bhabhi devoted her life and her days and nights to look after him. My pranam to this lady and I'm pray that Yusuf bhai's soul rests in peace)," the playback legend added.