India mourns passing away of acting legend Dilip Kumar

Various personalities belonging to disperate fraternities have mourned the demise of Dilip Kumar.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who belongs to Dilip Kumar's era, tweeted, "An epic era has drawn curtains... Never to happen again.."

Actor Akshay Kumar tweeted, "To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra tweeted, "A legend... an icon! Dizzy symbol From being called the Tragedy King to being an institution for generations of performers, there’ll never be anyone like youFolded handsYour legacy will live on forever. Sending prayers & love to Sairaji & familyRed heart May your soul rest in peace, #DilipKumar Saab."

Actress Urmila Matondkar said, "Deepest condolences to smt #SairaBanu ji..May the Almighty give her strength to bear this great loss."

Filmmaker-actress Nandita Das said, "A sad day for Indian cinema. #DilipKumar ‘s life and work must continue to be celebrated. Deepest condolences to #SairaBanu and other loved ones."

Actor Shahid Kapoor tweeted, "We are all nothing but versions of you Dilip Saab. Every actor has studied you in awe. Wondering how you did it all. You were as close to PERFECT as it can get. As you return to your spiritual home. The prayers of millions are with you.

"Thank you for giving us all you did. And sharing your enlightened soul with us through all your breathtaking performances. You will live on forever sir. You are TIMELESS. Rest in peace."

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta tweeted, "The greatest. There will never be another Dilip Kumar."

Actor Rajkummar Rao said on Instagram, "The LEGEND. #DilipKumarSahab Rest in Peace sir."

"'Every head must bow, every tongue must confess that he’s the greatest of all time.' Rest in Peace. #DilipKumarSaab 🙏🏽," said Vicky Kaushal on Instagram.

"Dilip Kumar ji 🙏🏻 Your legacy shall be celebrated forever," said actress Yami Gautam.

President Ram Nath Kovind said on Twitter, "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."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "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."

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman tweeted, "End of an Era. My heartfelt condolences to #DilipKumar Sahab’s family and admirers all over the world. Legends like him live on through their exemplary work."

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said, "Heartfelt condolences to #DilipKumar’s family.The gr8 man said, Taqdeerein badal jaati hain,zamana badal jaata hai, mulkon ki taarikh badal jaati hai,shahenshah badal jaate hain,magar iss badalti hui duniya mein mohabbat jis insaan ka daaman thaam leti hai,woh insaan nahi badalta."

Dilip Kumar, who was the recipient of India's highest film honour Dadasaheb Phalke Award, is survived by his actress wife Saira Banu whom he had married in 1966.

The actor, who made his film debut in 1944 with Jwar Bhata and went on to become a Hindi film legend dominating the silver screen for nearly five decades till the 1990s, passed away in Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for the past several days.

Dilip Kumar, whose real name was Yusuf Khan, will be best remembered for his performance in movies like Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Ram Aur Shyam, Andaz, Madhumati and Ganga Jamuna.

After dominating the silver screen as a hero for several decades he switched to character roles in the 1980s. He starred in films like Kranti (1981) and Shakti (1982), famously pitted against another Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in the latter, playing his father. He also acted in films like Mashaal (1984), Karma (1986) and Saudagar (1991). His last film was Qila in 1998.

While Dilip Kumar's heroines included screen goddesses such as Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Nargis, Waheeda Rehman and Vyjayanthimala, he had acted opposite his wife Saira Banu in films such as Bairaag, Duniya, Gopi and Sagina Mahato.