By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
मिलती नहीं है मंज़िल
राही जो हो अकेला
दो हों तो फिर जहां भी
चाहे लगा लो मेला
दिल मिल गए तो फिर क्या
जंगल भी एक घर है
साथी है खूबसूरत ये
मौसम को भी खबर है
Dilip Kumar was the first to win a Filmfare Best Actor Award(1954) for “Daag” (1952) starring Nimmi, Usha Kiran, K. N. Singh & Kanhaiyalal. The film was directed by veteran director Amiya Chakravarty who had earlier cast him in “Jwar Bhatta” as a debutant (1944) also featuring Ruma Guha & Mridula Rani. The Filmfare Awards were introduced in 1954.
Dilip Kumar’s maiden hit was “Jugnu”, directed by Shaukat Hussain Rizvi followed by “Andaz” (1949) & Mehboob Khan’s “Aan” starring Nimmi, Nadira, Prem Nath in key roles. Both the films were hits.
There was no looking back for the actor as he continued to grow & gain confidence with each movie that followed like- “Azaad” (1955), musical hit “Naya Daur” (1957),”Madhumati” (1958),social drama “Paigham” (1959) &”Kohinoor” (1960).
The most successful film of 1960s was K. Asif’s magnum opus “Mughal-E-Azam”, featuring Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala, MotiLal, Ajit , Durga Khote & Nigar Sultana, released on 5 August 1960. The dialogues of the film, written by Kamal Amrohi, K. Asif, Wajahat Mirza & Ehsan Rizvi, were the star attraction of the film. Dilip Kumar & Madhubala were not on talking terms yet K. Asif completed the film splendidly. The feather touching scene picturized on the lead pair was indeed pinnacle of romanticism. It was the highest-grossing film in the annals of Hindi cinema.
In between Kumar featured in Bimal Roy’s classic “Devdas” starring Vyjayanthimala, Suchitra Sen & Motilal. The film won Filmfare Awards in three categories-Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor & Best Supporting Actress besides a National Award.
Dilip produced “Gunga Jumna” (1961) starring Vyjayanthimala, Nasir Khan, Leela Chitnis & Kanhaiyalal. It was the highest-grossing film of the year 1961. “Ram Aur Shyam” (1967) featured Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Pran with Dilip Kumar in double role. “Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salami Le Le” & “Balam Tere Pyar Ki Thandi Aag Mein Jalte Jalte Main To” were hits from the movie. It was the second highest-grossing film after “Upkaar’ in 1967. Dilip also surprised many with his comic role which earned him a Filmfare Best Actor Award. Kranti, Shakti, Vidhaata, Mashaal & Karma were films released in 1980s. Saudagar was released in 1991.
Talat Mahmood sang some of his best songs for the actor-“Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Armaan”- Tarana (1951), “Aye Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal”- Daag (1952) & “Sham-E-Gham Ki Kasam”- Footpath (1953). “Kitna Haseen Hai Mausum, Kitna Hasee Safar Hai”- Azaad (1955) rendered by music composer Chitalkar Ramchandra, “Yeh Mera Deewanapan”- Yahudi (1958) by Mukesh & “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nacha Re”- Kohinoor (1960) by Mohammad Rafi are some of the other popular numbers picturized on him.
I met the actor twice in 1982 at Mehboob Studios, Bandra & later during the cocktail dinner of film “Sahibaan” at Centaur Hotel, Juhu.
Bestowed with Dadasaheb Phalke & 8 Filmfare Best Actor Awards besides Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan & Nishan-E-Imtiaz.
लुट रहा था किसी का जहा
देखती रह गयी ये जमीं
चुप रहा बेरहम आसमान
ए मेरे दिल कहीं और चल.
