Legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar passed away

Legendary actor  Dilip Kumar, one of Indian cinema’s most iconic actors, has died in the western city of Mumbai, his family said. He was 98 and ailing for some time.

The veteran actor is survived by his 76-year-old wife Saira Banu, a former Bollywood actress.

The Indian cinema legend breathed his last at Khar-based Hinduja Hospital at 7.30am in the presence of his wife Saira Banu, treating doctor and cardiologists Dr Nitin Gokhale and a few of the actors on Wednesday (7) morning following a prolonged illness.

Kumar starred in some of Indian cinema’s most successful films, including, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur, Ram Aur Shyam and Madhumati.

Dilip Kumar, known to generations of cine-goers as ‘tragedy king,’ was rushed to the hospital on June 30 after complaining of breathlessness. His family friend Faisal Farooqui confirmed the news of the actor’s death on Twitter. “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,” read Farooqui’s tweet via Dilip Kumar’s official Twitter handle.

Dilip Kumar was buried in Mumbai on Wednesday with full state honours. Wrapped in the national flag, Dilip Kumar was taken to Juhu Kabristan, where the film fraternity and thousands of fans lined up to bid him an emotional farewell. Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan attended the burial ceremony, while a tearful Saira Banu look on at the cemetery. Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and several Bollywood A-listers including Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar and Vidya Balan visited the legendary actor’s Bandra residence to meet his wife Saira Banu.