Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 11: For decades, Dilip Kumar was regarded as the undisputed king of tragedy and one of the most influential actors in Indian cinema. Despite appearing in just over 50 films during his decades-long career, his impact extended far beyond the number of roles he played.

Known for his restrained performances, command over silence and ability to convey intense emotions through subtle expressions, Dilip Kumar influenced generations of actors, including Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, both of whom have acknowledged his profound impact on their craft.

However, filmmaker Umesh Mehra, who directed Dilip Kumar in his final released film Qila, recalled a painful moment that highlighted how much the legendary actor's popularity had faded among younger audiences by the time the film was released.

Speaking to DD Urdu, Mehra said Dilip Kumar had stayed away from films for nearly two decades before working on Qila. According to him, although the actor had not lost his ability to perform, audiences had gradually forgotten the stature he once held in Indian cinema.

“When I worked with him, he hadn’t done a film for, I think, 15, 17, or 18 years. He hadn’t forgotten how to act, but people had forgotten him. Those of us in the industry remembered who Dilip Kumar was, but the public had forgotten,” Mehra recalled.

The filmmaker said one incident during a screening of Qila particularly stayed with him. During the interval, Mehra was listening to reactions from members of the audience when he overheard a young boy speaking to his father about Dilip Kumar.

“There was one very miserable incident that I witnessed, where young boys simply didn’t know who he was. It feels very sad,” Mehra said.

He recalled the boy saying, “Papa, he’s copying Shah Rukh Khan.”

The comment was particularly ironic given Shah Rukh Khan's deep admiration for Dilip Kumar. Over the years, Shah Rukh remained close to Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu, who affectionately referred to him as their “child”. The actor also continued to visit Dilip Kumar during his later years.

Shah Rukh had previously spoken about one of his earliest encounters with the veteran actor with characteristic humour. At the Zee Cine Awards in 2001, while hosting the ceremony, he recalled Dilip Kumar giving him what he jokingly described as a “slap”.

Shah Rukh said that when he first came to Bombay and met Dilip Kumar, the veteran actor lightly tapped him on the cheek and told him to work hard. He joked that even a light tap from a man from Peshawar felt like a huge slap.

Shah Rukh added that he did not mind the “slap” because he believed that small gesture had pushed his acting career forward for a decade. He humorously suggested that another such slap might help keep his career relevant for another two decades.

Dilip Kumar, whose career included landmark films such as Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Naya Daur and Ganga Jumna, died at the age of 98 on July 7, 2021. His legacy continues to influence actors and filmmakers across generations.