Dilip Kumar- the real super star

Dilip Kumar

The Indian film industry and Bollywood in particular, has seen the rise and sometimes fall of many superstars and legends. There have been those who have changed cinema forever and others who have given a whole new dimension to the word actor.

Over the decades, superstars and cinema have both changed. When Dilip Kumar aka Muhammad Yusuf Khan made his debut in 1944 with Jwar Bhata, Bollywood would have a new tragedy king! He went on to give classic performances in films likeAndaz (1949), Aan (1952), Devdas (1955), Azaad (1955) and the epic film Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Over a period of time, he became a legend of his era. So popular was Dilip Kumar that every aspiring actor wanted to be like him and many till date, ape his style of acting. Recipient of many prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan, Dilip Kumar was also the highest paid Hindi actor in the 50's and early 60's. He is reported to hold a Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor. A super star had certainly arrived.

Although a name like Dilip Kumar will always remain in the annals of history, he was beaten to his popularity by a new brigade of young actors who had taken over Hindi cinema. In 1966, a mane named Rajesh Khanna (born as Jatin Khanna) made his debut with the film Aakhri Khat. Rajesh Khanna had won the All India Talent Contest organized by United Producers and Filmfare the year earlier and caught the fancy of many film makers. He went on to act in films like Aradhana, the Train, Kati Patang, Daag: A Poem of Love and many more successful films. And it seemed as if Rajesh Khanna had become a sensation overnight.

The term 'Superstar' was first coined for him in India. Rajesh Khanna seemed to drive many crazy and legend has it that women would write love letters to him in their blood and marry his pictures. Wherever he went, he created a mass hysteria! But stardom comes with a price and Rajesh Khanna seemed to be overthrown by a man named called Amitabh Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan made an unusual debut in Mrinal Sen's 1969 film Bhuvan Shome. Amitabh did not act in the film but was a voice narrator. He went on to do supporting roles in many films including Anand where he shared screen space with Rajesh Khanna. In fact at that time, Rajesh Khanna stole the show in that film as he was the bigger superstar and Amitabh Bachchan had yet to make his mark.

He played a negative character in Parwaana and made a guest appearance in the film Guddi.But no one would have thought that a man of his caliber would have to go through the grill before making it big in the Hindi film industry. In 1973, Bachchan's luck and image changed with the film Zanjeer. This film established him as the angry young man of Hindi cinema. Bachchan went on to do films like Deewaar, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kabhie Kabhie, Don and Trishul to name a few. And a new superstar was born once again. Soon, Big B as he is fondly referred as, rose to popularity He soared high for a long time before hitting a slump, first as an actor and then as a producer. In the 1990's, his career was flagging and he had a huge debt riding on his shoulders.

But the nation's favourtie actor, refused to accept defeat. He made his Television debut withKaun Banega Crorepati at a time when TV was considered a taboo and perhaps a downgrade medium for a film actor, especially one so popular. But that did not deter him. Rather KBC revived his career and Amitabh Bachchan was back in the game once again! His popularity knows no heights and Big B has been honored with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was also voted as "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll. Amitabh Bachchan has been immortalized at the popular Madame Tussauds wax museum in London and in 2012, he carried the Olympic torch during the last leg of its relay in London's Southwark. But these are a few of his achievements. There perhaps will never been another actor or legend like Big B. He inspires a nation of billion. While all admire and aspire to be like him, can he beat Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna to be called the country's greatest superstar?

This is a big question as all cine lovers have been mesmerized by these all three big stalwarts during their peak period. Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan both had an opportunity to face each other in “Shakti” film, but Rajesh Khanna never acted with king of tragedy . He is no more with us now but the characters he portrayed in films like Baawarchi are still remembered by his fans. As such, it is very difficult to rate one amongst these three as the biggest super star.

However, if we review the entire performance and public opinion, we are sure; maximum will select Dilip Kumar as the biggest super star of Indian film industry. The thespian will be celebrating his 91st birthday this December. He is not only keeping well but facing property issues also, and that too in evening hours of his life. May Almighty give him healthy and long life?

PR 24x7 Network Limited wishes Dilip sahib, a happy birth day.

For further information, please contact: Atul Malikram,+91 9755020247,atul@atulmalikram.in