Legendary Actor Dilip Kumar who is an icon of Indian Cinema was born on December 11, 1922 at his ancestral home in Peshawar. His original name was Yousuf Khan.
The actor was loved by people from both sides of the border. After the demise of the veterinary actor a large group of people were seen offering Ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers in absentia) at actor’s ancestral house in Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar in Pakistan. They also offered Fateha (prayers) for the eternal peace of the cinema star.
Pakistan’s top leaders, including President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, condoled Dilip Kumar’s death, describing him as “an outstanding actor, a humble man, and a dignified personality”.
The government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said that the legendary actor will always be remembered for the love and affection he had for the people of his ancestral home town in the province.
The Pakistan government has already declared his native house as a national heritage and completed all formalities to convert it into a museum in his name. Lateef-ur-Rehman, Spokesman of KP Archeology, Sports and Tourism Department, said the provincial government has taken over the possession of Kumar’s ancestral house and it would soon be converted into a museum.
The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, put up a banner offering “special condolences to his bereaved family”.
In 1998, the Pakistan government had honoured Dilip saab with the ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz’ which is the country’s highest civilian award.
Kumar was given an unprecedented reception by the people of Peshawar when he visited his ancestral house in the early 90’s.
