Legend, thespian, tragedy king, performing god… Dilip Kumar was given many nicknames in his illustrious profession, however how he achieved his display identify is a narrative in itself.
He was born Mohammad Yusuf Khan, however Devika Rani, who was the pinnacle of Bombay Talkies, the place he joined as an actor, was not very proud of the identify. Dilip Kumar, he thought, would conform to his “romantic image” which he was certain to attain and would even have a “secular appeal”. And so was Dilip Kumar. Kumar, who died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday on the age of 98, elaborates in his autobiography “The Substance and the Shadow” how he went from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar. “One morning, as quickly as I entered the studio, I used to be given a message that Devika Rani wished to see me in her workplace. I believed what may or not it’s. I used to be certain that this might be no displeasure to specific as she was all the time well mannered and nice every time she would meet me and ask how I used to be doing. So what may or not it’s?” writes Kumar.
When he walked into the Queen’s workplace, she sat at his desk, smiling warmly and asking her to take a seat down.
Devika Rani started the dialog with frequent courtesy, asking him if he would take care of her specifically made tea produced from leaves purchased from an English retailer within the metropolis, he elaborated.
According to the autobiography, she quickly got here to the purpose and stated fairly factually, “Joseph, I was thinking of your launch as an actor soon and I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you adopt a screen name”.
“You know, a name that you would know and that would be very apt for your audience and which would suit the romantic image you are getting through your screen presence. I thought Dilip Kumar was a good name,” he stated. says.
When she was considering of an acceptable identify for him, she advised him the identify “popped up” in her thoughts.
“How do you feel about it?” He requested.
“I was speechless for a moment, completely unprepared for the new identity she was proposing to me. I said it sounded cool, but asked her if it was really necessary,” Kumar says within the ebook.
“She gave her candy smile and advised me that it could be clever to take action. She stated that after a lot deliberation she got here to the conclusion of giving me the display identify.
Rani advised Kumar that she noticed a protracted and profitable profession for him in movies and that it was display identification that might “stand by itself and have a secular appeal”.
Kumar appreciated his concern, however added that he wants to consider it a bit of.
He replied, “Okay… come again to me along with your ideas.
“Now we are ready to start preparing for your debut. So we must hurry.”
The actor remembers reminiscing about the remainder of his days, going about his routine, however the identify ‘Dilip Kumar’ retains ringing in his thoughts.
S Mukherjee, who was successfully the second in Bombay Talkies after Devika Rani, seen that the actor was fairly considerate that afternoon.
After lunch when work began on the taking pictures stage, Mukherjee requested him if something was bothering him and if he may share it with them.
“I told S Mukherjee about the suggestion from Devika Rani. He reflected for a second and looked me straight in the eye: “I think he has a point. It would be in your best interest to take the name he suggested for the screen. It’s a pretty cool name, though.” I have always known you as Yusuf like all your brothers and sisters and your parents,” Kumar stated within the autobiography.
Kumar stated he was impressed by what Mukherjee stated and it was a perception that made his views clear then and there.
The relaxation, as they are saying, is historical past. Dilip Kumar debuted in 1944 with Jwar Bhata, which went on to change into one of many greatest names within the historical past of Indian cinema. p
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
