- Thursday, May 02, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
CONDOLENCES continued to pour in from all walks of life over the death of Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar in Mumbai on Wednesday (7) at the age of 98 and India’s political circles were united during the day by the legend’s demise.
Indian president Ram Nath Kovind offered condolences to the thespian’s family to say his death marked the end of an era of Indian cinema.
“Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespian’s charm transcended all boundaries, and he was loved across the subcontinent. With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India. Condolences to family and countless fans,” he tweeted.
ALSO READ: Remembering Dilip Kumar: Iconic films of the legendary actor
Dilip Kumar was the greatest and most versatile actor: Imran Khan
Prime minister Narendra Modi, who was leading an important cabinet reshuffle in his government during the day, expressed his shock over Kumar’s death and said it was a loss for India’s 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,” he wrote in a tweet.
Rahul Gandhi pays tribute
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi also paid his tribute to the actor who featured in some of the blockbuster productions of Indian cinema, including ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Shaheed’, ‘Gunga Jumna’, ‘Andaz’, ‘Naya Daur’, etc. He said in a tweet, “My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & fans of Dilip Kumar ji. His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come.”
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh called Kumar’s death a “monumental loss to the Indian cinema”.
“Dilip Kumar ji was an outstanding actor, a true thespian who was well regarded by everyone for his exemplary contribution to the Indian film industry. His performances in films like “Ganga Jamuna” touched a chord in millions of cinegoers. I’m deeply anguished by his demise,” Singh said, adding. “I had met Dilip Kumar ji in person when I went to Mumbai to present the Padma Vibhushan to him. It was a special moment for me to interact with the legendary actor.”
Other central ministers like Smriti Irani and Piyush Goyal also paid tributes to the veteran actor.
Chief ministers remember Dilip Kumar
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said Kumar’s death marked an “end of a chapter in Bollywood”.
“Yusuf Sahab’s brilliant acting was like a university in the art world. He will live on in the hearts of all of us. May God place the departed soul at his feet,” the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet, “Crestfallen at the passing of a beacon in cinema. Deeply anguished to learn about the demise of veteran actor Dilip Kumar ji.”
“His inimitable style of acting will remain engraved among film lovers for generations,” she added.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said Kumar was a “doyen of Indian cinema and a prolific entertainer”.
“With his acting, he gave a new dimension to the Indian cinema world. He will remain immortal as an artist, and will forever remain etched in the hearts of cinema lovers through his films,” he tweeted.
