India- Legendary Hindi Film Actor Dilip Kumar dies- a lasting influence on Bolywood

LEGENDARY HINDI FILM ACTOR DILIP KUMAR TOOK INTENSITY TO MYTHICAL PROPORTIONS AND TRAVERSED SURREAL REGIONS IN ACTING.NO STAR DEFINED BOLYWOOD MORE OR HAD SUCH LASTING INFLUENCE ON LATER GENERATION OF STARS. HIS DEATH IS THE PASSING AWAY OF AN ERA

 

 By Harsh Thakor

On the morning of July 7^th the legendary Dilip Kumar passed away, after a prolonged period of illness of prostate cancer. In the history of Hindi film industry no actor ever took intensity to such mythical proportions or regions as Dilip Kumar. In full flow Dilip Kumar could create the impact of an inferno or Tsunami. His acting possessed that rare quality of a genius, literally sculpting a new dimension to acting. No superstar looked as natural as Dilip Kumar, as though he never went to any acting school. Dilip Kumar is arguably the strongest contender for the choice of the best or most consummate Hindi film actor ever. Every great Hindi film superstar modelled himself on Dilip Kumar. In my view he broke away from all previous conventions in acting. It is ironical that he passed away just a day after I posted a tribute article online.

It is Kumar who gave the founding tone and pioneered an era in Bollywood. At his funeral every major star stated that he influenced or shaped their careers as though they were all his pupils. It looked as though every great star had a common ancestry in the great Dilip Kumar.

Dilip championed tragedy in the depth of an Ocean, like no Hindi film actor ever did. Enacting tragic characters he put the audience in a trance, as though they were witnessing the darkest of winter days. However Dilip also had great flair for enacting comedy roles, creating the liveliness of the breaking of spring. Rarely did any artist display as much poignancy on the screen or express so much with the literal quiver of his eyes. He simply possessed acting prowess in surreal regions, like a Rembrandt canvas.  He could one day resemble the deadest of leaves or the gloomiest of winner days. On another day he could resemble the brightest summer day or a lotus blooming fully. Within a role itself he could resemble water in a pot at its boiling point at one point and on the other freezing into ice. Dilip Kumar looked so engrossed when acting that it appeared as though he was a manifestation of energy of the divine.

It could be contested that Dilip Kumar overdid tragedy in his day and lacked the liveliness of Dev Anand, the malleability of Raj Kapoor, the craft of Sanjeev Kumar or Naseeruddin Shah or the charisma of Amitabh Bacchan or Rajesh Khanna. Perhaps he expressed too much intensity and lacked detachment in the Brechtian mould, when performing. He could not vary his expressions like the notes of a musical orchestra or introduce element of ease or detachment in the manner of Sanjeev Kumar or Naseeruddin Shah. At times Dilip Kumar became over serious as though entrapped in a storm. He could not blend seriousness with humour like Raj Kapoor, or element of detachment with the finesse of Sanjeev Kumar. Arguably Sanjeev Kumar or Naseeruddin Shah got more into the skin of character or were craftier.

Still, one must remember that overall Dilip enacted a wider and more challenging set of roles than anyone. Possibly he did not vary his acting style as much as he could have. Still for pure art or in a total package, Dilip Kumar was at the very top of the pedestal. It must be mentioned that in some hits like 'Ganga Jumna; 'Footpath' and 'Naya Daur' he broke away from the sad or mellowed trend, proving his versatility. Kumar also championed comedy in ‘Ram aur Shyam’ and ‘Kohinoor.’

Comparisons may be unfair but even if more disciplined, charismatic or even intelligent, I would not rank Amitabh Bacchan as the equal of Dilip Kumar, as an actor or a human being. I am convinced that in his day Dilip Kumar overshadowed contemporaries, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

It is noteworthy that in his best films heroine Vyjayanthimala co-starred with Dilip Kumar and not Nargis, Nutan, Waheeda Rehman or Madhubala. This speaks of her remarkable acting prowess.

In contrast to Raj Kapoor the best of his films were not anti-hero films, being close to projecting radical change in social order but of man seeking justice within the system. Even in anti-hero portrayals like ‘Naya Daur,’ ‘Ganga Jumna’ he offers criticism to the oppressor but still reconciles. In the latter the hero is even punished for his actions. Dilip Kumar mainly projected Nehruvian themes which challenged casteism, religious superstition and economic disparity but did not endorse violent revolution. Raj Kapoor to a considerably greater extent in ‘Awara’ and ‘Shri 420’, portrayed the rebel in society. In Spite of not being apolitical the films of Dilip Kumar did not project the evils of the feudal or capitalist system.

We missed out witnessing Dilip Kumar in portrayals of an oppressed man striving against injustice like Raj Kapoor in 'Jagte Raho' or Balraj Sahni in 'Do Bigha Zamin.' or even as a spiritual crusader like Guru Dutt in 'Pyaasa’ Being such a star it became habitual to cast him in melodramatic films. I would have backed Dilip Kumar to act as well as any great actor in any truly progressive film, if not better. It could be stated that we saw more of Dilip Kumar as a star than as an actor. If his potential was completely untapped he may have overshadowed everyone as a pure actor.

 

I regret the film industry hardly did true justice to Dilip Kumar’s great histrionic abilities or reserves of talent after the age of 65 in the manner of Amitabh Bacchan in recent times. In old age I feel he was made to do very gratuitous roles. I recommend every fan to read Bacchan’s tribute to Dilip Kumar who virtually defined Bollywood history as one before Dilip Kumar, and one after Dilip Kumar. Modern Stars Shahrukh, Salman and Aamir Khan rank him as the best actor of all time and so Prem Chopra and Dharmendra. Touching of star Dharmendra calling him his ‘brother.’

I recommend every fan to read a biography of Dilip Kumar, narrating how he broke into acting, and the events that shaped his life. Being the son of Fruit stall owner one hardly forecasted he would emerge as an actor. It is also fascinating that he received psychiatric help to break away from state of depression, having been virtually habituated in projecting a melancholy state. It is also significant how he lost faith in Indian democracy after the 1992 riots. He was totally aghasted with the Mumbai riots of 1993 and earlier demolition of Babri Masjid. Infact by the late 1970’s he had become disillusioned with the Congress. It is praiseworthy that Dilip Kumar provided shelter for riot victims. I can never forget Dilip Kumar's adherence to social causes, often being the mascot of the Muslim minorities. Dilip Kumar played an important role as a mediator between India and Pakistan. No doubt to me he was flawed in backing Nehruvian Socialism instead of radical revolutionary Socialism. Nevertheless he exhibited considerably more social dignity than modern superstars.

Secular India should glorify this superstar who within his limitations defended the rights of Backward Muslim Communities. Ironically, he was born in Peshawar, in Pakistan. I was overwhelmed to read tributes from Communist Party of India leader Prakash Reddy, Rahul foundation leader Katyani and happy to hear the views of some of my leftist friends. A communist revolutionary friend of mine classed Dilip Kumar has man with high morals, who loved mankind. Perhaps a younger Dilip Kumar could have been one of the boldest voices against the tyranny of saffron Hindutva fascism.

15 BEST PERFORMANCES OF DILIP KUMAR CHOSEN IN MY ORDER OF MERIT

Best acting of Dilip Kumar in films in my chosen order of merit.

1. Devdas(1955)-  Classic acting exhibition enacting tragedy in romance. Reminiscent of a manifestation of a God of tragedy with his heart touching expressions in a melancholy state. Intensity of expression in simply surreal realms which I doubt any actor would surpass. In the final scene when he is drowning sorrow in love he reveals the godliness of very rare penetration. The movie projects the social reality of Bengal.

Based on the Novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay called Devdas, the movie is the story of childhood sweethearts, Devdas (Dilip Kumar) and Paro (Suchitra Sen) set against the backdrop of rural Bengal during feudal times. When they decide to marry, Devdas' father disapproves of the relationship as they belong to a very rich family. He sends his son packing to Calcutta for higher studies. Parvati's marriage is fixed with a wealthy zamindar, a widower with children older than his young second wife. In Calcutta, Devdas drowns his sorrows in alcohol and wishes to meet Paro one last time before he dies. He meets Chunilal (Motilal) who introduces him to an attractive and strong willed courtesan, Chandramukhi (Vyjayanthimala).

2. Ganga Jumna (1961)-A truly classical portrayal of a villager who turns into a dacoit symbolic of a crusader against injustice betrayed. One of the most natural displays of acting of a villager ever by an actor. Dilip Kumar deploys the most subtle nuances. Rarely has an actor been more in the thick of the very skin of the character. The most intense scene conjures up the vibrations of a Tsunami erupting.

In contrast to his general melancholy expression in many movies, he is far more lively and radiant here. Most artistically portrays the inner metamorphosis or spiritual change within a person due to circumstances that turn his entire life around. The variance of his expressions reminds one of an orchestra. Brilliant chemistry with Vyjayanthimala. His dialogue pleading for justice with the police inspector towards the end is one of the most touching ever in Hindi cinema.  Ironic that in the climax he is killed by his very own brother who is a police inspector. Here he glorified the anti-hero or crusader against injustice in depths he never did, or in regions rarely surpassed in Hindi films.

3. Daag(1952)-Mastery in tragedy .Very close to his performance in Devdas when drunk. So penetrative that it looked like a person meditating. Simply poetic expressions. Classically portrays the flux of frustration or despair for the major part of the movie with happiness and joy in the climax.

Shankar (played by Dilip Kumar) and his mother live a life of poverty. To earn money he makes and sells mud toys. Being the lone bread winner of the family, he is unable to meet the needs. His debt starts rising higher and higher when he gets addicted to alcohol. He is attracted to Parvati (Nimmi), who also lives a poor lifestyle along with her step-brother, Jagat Narayan, his wife and their daughter, Pushpa. After an argument with his mother, Shankar departs to the city, gives up drinking and earns a lot of money. He then returns home and pays off his mortgage. With new confidence he proposes to marry Parvati. But he is then told that Parvati's marriage has been arranged elsewhere. Broken, he starts drinking again and his mother also dies at this stage. Now he again starts drinking heavily and starts walking on the path of self-destruction. The only thing which can save his life is Parvati's love. But her parents are the only obstacle who are in the view that drunken Shankar can never become a good man in life. In a dramatic turn of events, Jagat Narayan agrees to marry Parvati with Shankar, Shankar quits alcohol and the film finally finishes with a happy ending.

4. Naya Daur(1957)- Portrayed a villager waging a battle against the infiltration of sophisticated machinery in his village. He symbolised the aspirations of a common farmer penetrating into the very skin of the character. His confrontation with Jeevan as Kundan on the issue of technology was truly classical and so was his leading a rally of farmers. It is remarkable how he portrays the crystallization of rebellious spirit. Similar acting to Ganga Jumna. It portrays the theme of Nehruvian Socialism, like no other film of its era.

The tongawalla  Shankar and the wood cutter Krishna are best friends in a poor village. At a train station, Shankar meets Rajni, who arrives there with her mother and brother, and fall in love with each other. At the same time, Krishna also sees Rajni and falls for her.

Kundan from the city arrives at the village and wants to modernize and mechanize the business which he does so by getting an electronic saw thus making several workers at the mill lose their jobs. When Shankar and Krishna both come to know that they both love Rajni, they plan on deciding on who will marry her; if Rajni offers white flowers when she goes to the temple, she will marry Shankar and if she offers yellow flowers, she will marry Krishna. Manju, Shankar's sister who is in love with Krishna, hears the conversation and stealthily switches Rajni's yellow flowers with white flowers at the temple. Krishna, who sees Manju switching the flowers, thinks that Shankar has told her to do this and it leads Krishna and Shankar into a fight. The saddened Shankar tells Rajni that he will not looked at her if he knew that his friend also lover her. Rajni becomes heart-broken after hearing this tells him that she can not change her feelings for him, but he can if he wants and goes away.

Kundan introduces a bus in the village thus taking away the tongawalas' livelihood. They ask him to remove it, but he refuses. Shankar says that what he has done is for the betterment of himself only. Kundan, however, tells Shankar that if he can drive his tonga faster than the bus then he will remove the latter. Shankar agrees to do it but the rest of the tongawalas tell him not to as the bus will be faster. Shankar consents to the race and asks time for three months to prepare for the race. He makes a plan to build a road, which is six miles shorter than the road which leads to the temple. The disturbed villagers tell Shankar that they have gone mad with his stubbornness and do not support him with the making of the road, letting him do it alone.

Shankar starts to lose heart when he starts to build the road alone, but Rajni joins him, saying that she will always be with him, which makes Shankar happy. Soon, the rest of the tongawalas join them to build the road. Krishna joins Kundan's side and asks him to help to make sure that the road does not get complete. The villagers, all together, overcome difficulties along the way and finally finish the building. Krishna decides to take things up in his own hands and breaks the bridge made by the villagers which was the most important path of the road. Manju sees him doing this and confronts Krishna and tells him that she changed the flowers on her own and not on the words of her brother as she loves him. Krishna on hearing this realises his mistake and starts repairing the bridge immediately with the help of Manju.

Finally, the race takes place with Shankar emerging as the victor. Krishna comes to congratulate Shankar and both the friends make up with each other furthermore Shankar and Rajni untie while Krishna and Manju unite with each other.

5. Madhumati(1958)-His acting was responsible for giving the cutting edge in making  this movie an epic. Rarely have I seen an actor in such a state of bewilderment or look so puzzled. Dilip Kumar looked like a person penetrating the deepest depth to solve a mystery in a love story with a theme of re-incarnation. In the climax when narrating the end of the story in a house cabin, his expressions remind one of man undeterred or unmoved, as though his quest for exploring a myth has not ended.

While driving his car on a rainy night, Anand's car (Anand enacted by Dilip Kumar)breaks down, and he goes to seek shelter in a nearby house. It is here that he will find out about his previous birth, his true love, Madhumati, and how their ill-fated romance is going to affect his current life.

Directed by Bimal Roy, ‘Madhumati’ is a paranormal romance revolving around Dilip Kumar’s Anand, a modern man, and Vyjayanthimala’s Madhumati, a tribal woman, who fall in love with each other. However, due to societal dissemination, they are unable to have a relationship during their lifetimes and are reincarnated.

6.Jogan(1950) -Sensitivity exuded in realms rarely ever traversed, with God gifted artistry.

Fans of Shah Rukh Khan must watch Jogan as they will catch glimpses of a young SRK in Dilip Kumar’s mannerisms, his hairstyle, his walk, his aggressive wooing of the heroine. Nargis plays a jogan (someone who has cast off earthly pursuits and pleasures and has devoted herself to God) while Dilip plays an atheist who lives for the moment (shades of Devdas here). Dilip’s cynicism collides with Nargis’s faith and the result is a film where the hero and the heroine look at each other with burning intensity but there’s no happy ending.

7. Andaz(1949)- Dilip Kumar is a total contrast to Raj Kapoor in a love triangle, portraying a tragic character. Still arguably a moral victor over Raj, in terms of pure sensitivity or romantic depth. In madness and sadness he penetrated depths which have been rarely surpassed on the Hindi film screen.

This was perhaps the first blockbuster multi-starrer, with two up and coming superstars, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor and marquee queen Nargis coming together in a love triangle. It may look childish now but director Mehboob Khan did make a very modern film for its times. It was hailed as a mirror to the convent-educated English speaking generation where girls openly flirted with boys. Dilip Kumar continued his tragedian onslaughts and reigned supreme as the bitter suitor whose love goes unrequited.

8. Deedar(1951)-In his time it was unimaginable that an actor could give such life to the character of blind man., that too in a love triangle. Revealed the most subtle or sensitive expressions, like the flutter of petals of a flower. Brilliant portrayal of unfulfilled love with Nargis, married to Ashok Kumar.

9. Mughal e Azam(1960)- Enacting Prince Salim Dilip Kumar penetrates depths of an ocean in love, whether happy or sad. Rarely has a romantic dialogue or love scenes been as captivating in a Hindi film. No other star could have done equal justice to such a classic.

10. Footpath (1953)-Even as an anti-hero Dilip Kumar had classical shades. Brilliantly contrasts a corrupted man in search of worldly belongings at any cost to a reformed man, who wishes to cut the tumours of injustice in the climax. Very  penetrative character expression at the climax, when regretting his patronising injustice.

The story is about black-marketeering in grains and medicines, a subject of perennial interest to everybody and of poignant importance to the poor and needy. The characters and drama are laid among the very poor, the homeless ones, the pavement dwellers, whence the picture derives its title. One of them, the central character, is a poorly-paid hack journalist named Noshu who lives, for lack of means, with his kindly elder brother Bani and Bani’s nasty wife, Minna. Powerfully attracted to a pretty young girl of the neighbourhood and wanting desperately to woo and win her, he decides to become a black-marketeer.

The path of the transgressor is laid with roses. He mints money, becomes a wealthy and a respected citizen, and has everything he hankered for in his new world of luxurious ease. It all turns to ashes in his mouth. His brother, who brought him up and who has lost his teacher’s job because he used the school’s money to finance Noshu’s first flutter, turns him out when he discovers what the money was for. So do his poor but honest friends.

With a hardened heart, Noshu goes his own way, becoming wealthier at each step. Awakening comes with the outbreak of an epidemic among the starving poor. With his racket in medicines, Noshu’s conscience stirs in him as he sees the people he loved agonize and die for lack of the drugs he is hoarding for peak prices. The climax comes in his soul when he rushes to his stricken brother’s side too late and arrives just as Bani breathes his last. Shocked into realization, Noshu repents, gives himself up to the police, denounces his companions in crime and goes to prison.

11. Deedar(1951)-In his time it was unimaginable that an actor could give such life to the character of blind man, that too in a love triangle. Revealed the most subtle or sensitive expressions, like the flutter of petals of a flower. Brilliant portrayal of unfulfilled love with Nargis, married to Ashok Kumar.

12. Shakti(1982)i-Pitted against the other superstar Amitabh Bacchan, in the eyes of many judges Dilip Kumar won this round. As an inspector he is a crusader against injustice who ends up killing his very own son. Rarely have an actor's eyes or expressions portrayed such intensity against injustice or conviction, even in the gravest of times. Movie proved Dilip Kumar was still a giant.

13. Mashaal(1984)-As a journalist he banged every nail in the wall to bring criminals to the book. Even in his 60's Dilip Kumar was as poignant as ever. Brings in the classical element of rawness as a crusader for justice.

Directed by the enigmatic Yash Chopra, ‘Mashaal’ focuses on Vinod Kumar, an esteemed, law-abiding citizen who, embroiled in the dirt of corruption, turns to crime for exacting revenge. Adapted from Marathi writer Vasant Kanetkar’s play ‘Ashroonchi Zhali Phule’ (1966), the film explores the theme of family, crime, corruption and punishment. Kumar brilliantly personified his charisma and acting capabilities. With an ensemble cast, Kumar led by example. Steering back to tragedies, Kumar churned out an inspired performance with calibre, charisma and charm.

14. Amar (1954)

An understated but most subtle performance in the quest for justice. Most articulate and perceptive expressions with the diversity of the colours of the rainbow.

It’s perhaps Mehboob Khan’s finest outing as a director, where he showcased that man isn’t all black and white but composed of shades of grey. Dilip’s eyes, his manners convey the shock, resentment, confusion, guilt and remorse of a man who raped an innocent in a weak moment. He tries to come to terms with his crime. Madhubala plays his fiancée who helps bring closure while Nimmi brilliantly played the village girl raped by a man whom she loved with all her heart.

Amarnath (Dilip Kumar) is a well-known lawyer, who is honest and known for his sense of justice. One day, he meets Soniya (Nimmii), a milkwoman, and decides to marry her soon. His father sends him a girl's photograph. It was Anju's (Madhubala  photograph, who graduated from foreign University, and has an open mind. She was quite for helping the poor, right opposite to her father. Amarnath agrees to marry her. They got engaged. One night, when it was raining heavily, Soniya got trapped in the hands of Sankat. Somehow she manages to escape from his hand and take shelter in Amarnath's house. Then only, he received a telegram of his father's illness. But he didn't read the telegram and instead he forgot everything, enticed by Soniya's beauty. And so the beast in him roared over Soniya and raped her. Soniya went home and was compelled to marry Sankat. Whereas on the other hand Amarnath marries Anju but his inner voice was not letting him live in peace. There at the time of taking spheres, Soniya told everybody that she is already married & so cannot marry Sankat but she denies telling the name of her husband. Anju supports her and fights on her behalf with the clan. Soon, the news of Soniya's pregnancy spreads in the village, and the mob hunts her to the temple to kill. The pujari helps her. Anju comes to know the man whom Soniya is married to. In the end Anju marries Soniya with her own husband, Amarnath, and leaves the place.

15. Ram Aur Shyam(1967)-Dilip Kumar in a double role most surgically and artistically portrays the distinguishing features of 2 twins in a movie which narrates a story of how a set of circumstances split and then re-unite 2 brothers. Proves his mastery of enacting comedy.