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Revisiting the universe of Dilip Kumar, one of India’s greatest actors

Dilip Kumar had graced the silver screen for over five decades, and in those five decades, he didn’t lose himself in stardom, remaining one ...


Dilip Kumar had graced the silver screen for over five decades, and in those five decades, he didn’t lose himself in stardom, remaining one of India’s best actors to date. Recently, Film Heritage announced a two-day retrospect of his works for his 100th birthday, and I – being a 15-year-old boy who’d only seen Ram aur Shyam – was excited to watch his films in the theatre. He was at his peak way before I was born. While I didn’t watch all four of his films – I only watched three – I was still overjoyed to have watched an Indian legend’s films in the theatre. And the experience was euphoric for this cinephile.

Dilip Kumar was always subtle with his acting and that’s what made his acting even greater. Unlike Shah Rukh Khan in Devdas, Dilip Kumar never overacted and his performance was way par excellence. Devdas is a well-known story among Indians and Bimal Roy’s film sticks to the book. It’s his masterful direction accompanied by excellent performances all around, especially Dilip Kumar’s that make Devdas a classic in every single way.  Dilip Kumar’s performance in Devdas is subliminal and subtle and his performance is the highlight of the film alongside Bimal Roy’s excellent direction. Dilip Kumar, singlehandedly, stole the show from the beginning and his performance deserves a standing ovation from every single person who has seen the film.

Shakti had Amitabh Bachchan in it and yet, Dilip Kumar was the highlight of the film. Whilst Bachchan was great, Dilip Kumar had the screen presence of a giant in acting that made even a great actor like Bachchan fall short in comparison. Dilip Kumar, again, was subliminal and subtle and yet again, stole the show as DCP Ashwini Kumar.

Aan, India’s first technicolor film shot on 16mm and blown up in Technicolor, follows Dilip Kumar as Jai Tilak as he defeats Prince Shamsher (Prem Nath) in a game of fencing and later, falls in love with his sister and tries to convince her to be with him. To see Dilip Kumar in Technicolor for the first time in 1952 and that too in the most expensive Indian film of the time was awesome. Dilip Kumar is graceful as Jai Tilak and his performance here is not as subtle as is his performances in Devdas and Shakti. Here he seems to have fun with the role and his happiness is projected onto the viewer. Aan will remain one of the highest achievements in filmmaking in India.

Dilip Kumar is surely one of India’s best actors ever, as he won people over with his subliminal, subtle and excellent performances.

(Written by a 15-year-old cinema lover)

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