 "Dilip Kumar (Photo Credit: Filmfare)")
Ailing legendary actor Dilip Kumar, known as the “tragedy king of Bollywood,” turned emotional on Sunday when he was presented with Padma Vibhushan by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence in suburban Bandra for his contribution to Hindi cinema spanning over six decades.
The 93-year-old veteran, who shot to fame with Naya Daur, Jugnu, Andaz and Devdas and went on to give sterling performances in over 60 Hindi films, was given the second-highest civilian award comprising a medal, certificate and shawl in the presence of the actor’s 71-year-old wife Saira Bano.
Kumar, in a black suit, could barely open his eyes and was helped by Saira when the national honour was conferred on him. He felt happy and got emotional at the recognition, Saira said.
After presenting the award to the actor, Singh said, “The Prime Minister asked me to go and personally present him with the Padma Vibhushan Award in Mumbai. When the award was presented in Delhi, Dilipji couldn’t make it due to health concerns.”
“Dilip Kumarji has contributed a lot to film industry. Considering that, we’ve presented him with Padma Vibhushan,” the home minister said.
State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar were also present at the occasion.
When asked about Kumar's reaction at receiving the award, Saira later told reporters that, "He has always been quiet about himself. He is happy, he smiled and there were tears in his eyes. He is an emotional and sensitive person. For him material things do not matter. He is a simple man, down to earth."
While Saira feels proud of the honour bestowed her on husband, she says the biggest award is the love of audience.
"I am very proud with the honour that the government has given him. I was emotional. I am the proudest wife. Apart from the award people always love and respect him, that matters the most. This is the biggest award," she said.
She also appreciated the gesture of Home Minister, Maharashtra Governor and Chief Minister to come to their residence to present the award.
The announcement to honour Bollywood veterans Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and a few others with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award was made by the government on the eve of Republic Day on January 25, 2015.
However, Kumar, due to ill-health, could not attend the special function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in April when other Padma awardees were honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee.
"It was kind of Rajnath ji to come here personally and honour him. He could have sent anyone, but he came. When this function happened Kumar was not well. We couldn't go there. It's a great honour," Saira said.
"Even when Dilip ji used to give a shot, he used to keep quiet while others used to praise him. We, as his co-stars, used to expect that he would praise us for a shot, but he used to just say 'good' and nothing else. Every artist improves his craft of acting by working with him. I have never seen him praising himself or talk ill about anyone. I try to do mischief with him...by talking ill about someone, but he would rather say good things about the person," she said.
The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan award in 1991, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan earlier this year, for his exceptional and distinguished contribution to the Indian cinema.
However, the actor is yet to receive the Bharat Ratna.
To this, Saira said, "These awards are welcome, but are materialistic things. He has never expressed his desire to get so and so award. But the love is what matters. I think cinema will be written as before and after Dilip Kumar. Acting should be such that it shouldn't look like one is acting. He is a master in acting."
On December 11, Kumar celebrated his 93rd birthday with several of his well wishers sending him flowers and gifts.
"Mr Amitabh Bachchan had sent flowers and a note on his birthday. He is a great admirer of him, he wishes long and healthy life for him," she added.
Bachchan told reporters here, "I have been a huge fan of Dilip Kumar since many years. It's a very proud, happy moment for all of us... When the history of Indian cinema will be written, it will be before Dilip sahab and after Dilip sahab." Born as Muhammad Yousuf Khan in Peshawar(Pakistan).
Kumar made his debut as an actor in the film "Jwar Bhata" produced by Bombay Talkies in 1944 .
He starred in films of a variety of genres such as the swashbuckling "Aan" (1952), the comical "Azaad" (1955), the historical "Mughal-e-Azam" (1960) and the social "Ganga Jamuna" (1961).
He also did films like "Ram Aur Shyam" (1967), "Kranti" (1981), "Shakti" (1982), "Karma" (1986) and "Saudagar" (1991) and others. His last film was "Qila" (1998).
