<p>Although Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah is well-aware of late Dilip Kumar’s obvious greatness and thanked him for all the ‘magic’ as an actor, he wondered why the deceased actor chose to play safe despite being a star and never go beyond acting.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Calling him ‘immaculate’ at his craft, Shah, in an opinion-editorial piece for an Indian newspaper, said that the much-celebrated actor did not pass on his vast knowledge based on experience to anyone or groom the next generation of actors. “Some of those works doubtless will survive the test of time but, given the position he was in, it is more than evident he didn’t do enough apart from acting and being involved in social causes close to his heart. He produced only one film, didn’t direct any (officially at least), never passed on the benefit of his experience, didn’t bother to groom anyone, and apart from his pre-1970s performances, left behind no significant lessons for future actors; even his autobiography is but a rehash of old interviews,” Shah wrote.</p>

<p><br />
“…It’s baffling why a man as conscious of his place in history as he was should be reluctant to record his interaction with some of the admittedly great filmmakers of his time or say anything really informative about the nature of his work and technique. I wish, at some point, he had at least been forthright about the travails involved in retaining legions of devoted fans,” added the actor and theatre personality.&nbsp;<br />
In the same piece, Shah praised Dilip Saab—as the latter is fondly remembered—for his ‘consummate characterisations, the dignified deportment, the mellifluous diction, the controlled but roiling emotionality’ in films.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
“The holy grail of acting that he is in commercial Hindi cinema, his achievements supposedly unsurpassable, I trust that, now that all the tributes have been paid, I will not be putting my foot in my mouth if I talk not only of the undoubted greatness of some of his performances but raise a question – perhaps, provoke a debate — on whether his example as a star was worthy of emulation and whether he helped push the envelope toward progress or whether he facilitated the downward spiral of popular Hindi cinema into the total star-centricity in which it wallows today,” said about Dilip Kumar supposedly starting the ‘star-centric- culture in Indian cinema.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
In 2016, after Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna’s death—another superstar— Naseeruddin Shah had landed in trouble for calling Khanna a ‘limited, a poor actor’. He later apologized for his ‘uncalled for’ comments to his fans and family.&nbsp;</p>


Although Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah is well-aware of late Dilip Kumar’s obvious greatness and thanked him for all the ‘magic’ as an actor, he wondered why the deceased actor chose to play safe despite being a star and never go beyond acting.

Although Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah is well-aware of late Dilip Kumar’s obvious greatness and thanked him for all the ‘magic’ as an actor, he wondered why the deceased actor chose to play safe despite being a star and never go beyond acting. Calling him ‘immaculate’ at his craft, Shah, in an opinion-editorial piece for an Indian newspaper, said that the much-celebrated actor did not pass on his vast knowledge based on experience to anyone or groom the next generation of actors. “Some of those works doubtless will survive the test of time but, given the position he was in, it is more than evident he didn’t do enough apart from acting and being involved in social causes close to his heart. He produced only one film, didn’t direct any (officially at least), never passed on the benefit of his experience, didn’t bother to groom anyone, and apart from his pre-1970s performances, left behind no significant lessons for future actors; even his autobiography is but a rehash of old interviews,” Shah wrote. “…It’s baffling why a man as conscious of his place in history as he was should be reluctant to record his interaction with some of the admittedly great filmmakers of his time or say anything really informative about the nature of his work and technique. I wish, at some point, he had at least been forthright about the travails involved in retaining legions of devoted fans,” added the actor and theatre personality. In the same piece, Shah praised Dilip Saab—as the latter is fondly remembered—for his ‘consummate characterisations, the dignified deportment, the mellifluous diction, the controlled but roiling emotionality’ in films. “The holy grail of acting that he is in commercial Hindi cinema, his achievements supposedly unsurpassable, I trust that, now that all the tributes have been paid, I will not be putting my foot in my mouth if I talk not only of the undoubted greatness of some of his performances but raise a question – perhaps, provoke a debate — on whether his example as a star was worthy of emulation and whether he helped push the envelope toward progress or whether he facilitated the downward spiral of popular Hindi cinema into the total star-centricity in which it wallows today,” said about Dilip Kumar supposedly starting the ‘star-centric- culture in Indian cinema. In 2016, after Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna’s death—another superstar— Naseeruddin Shah had landed in trouble for calling Khanna a ‘limited, a poor actor’. He later apologized for his ‘uncalled for’ comments to his fans and family.

Naseeruddin Shah: ‘Dilip Kumar never passed on his experience or groom anyone; didn’t do enough other than acting’

<p>It is well known that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is an avid reader and writer. And in order to mourn the loss of his former co-star and legendary actor Dilip Kumar, he took to his blog and penned some beautiful yet heartbreaking words for the late Dilip Kumar. In his blog, he recalled being starstruck by him and the moment he met the actor in person. “The name that had been floating in that vacuum suddenly took shape, right there on the screen in front of me .. large and in black and white .. that name, that visual often repeated in converse .. DILIP KUMAR .. there was something in his presence .. when he appeared all others became a blurred focus .. when he spoke, you felt right, convinced .. and you came back with all of that home .. and it remained with you.”&nbsp;</p>

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<p><br />
Bachchan spoke about the time he ran into Dilip Saab at a restaurant and mustered up the courage to go up to him and ask for an autograph. “After long contemplation which drove me to awe and shivering excitement, I decided to approach him for an autograph .. but no autograph book .. so out again in the street, a book bought and inside the restaurant again and the relief to still find him there .. the walk up to him .. he is concentrated conversation .. i push my words to him in general and the book in hand .. there is no reaction .. he did not even look at me or the book .. and after a short while walked away , out through the door and gone .. the autograph book still in my vacant hands .. the autograph book was not important at all .. it was his presence .. that’s it.”</p>

<p><br />
Talking about the Padma Bhushan awardee’s charm and charisma, Bachchan wrote, “You never found a single element out of place when he performed on screen or in his non public appearance , or even the public appearance .. his eyes his walk his each limb his every spoken word was like poetry .. the graph and the tone , the pauses the rapid fire , the run by a train , that glass of the sorrow and the inconsequential and consequential expressions of learning.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Amitabh Bachchan was present when the last rites of the deceased actor were being performed at Juhu Qabrastan in Mumbai. He recalled with a heavy heart, “I stand in front of this mound on the earth, freshly dug .. a few garlands and flowers scattered about over the mound .. and no one around him .. he sleeps underneath .. under the earth of his bearing .. it is peaceful and quiet .. this large presence .. this mountain of talent .. this gregarious creative visionary .. this excellence of the excelled .. the ultimate .. now reduced to a small mound of grave .. he is gone.”<br />
&nbsp;“History shall ever be .. before Dilip Kumar after Dilip Kumar .. that is how it always was .. now more so than ever,” concluded Bachchan.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


It is well known that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is an avid reader and writer. And in order to mourn the loss of his former co-star and legendary actor Dilip Kumar, he took to his blog and penned some beautiful yet heartbreaking words for the late Dilip Kumar.

It is well known that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is an avid reader and writer. And in order to mourn the loss of his former co-star and legendary actor Dilip Kumar, he took to his blog and penned some beautiful yet heartbreaking words for the late Dilip Kumar. In his blog, he recalled being starstruck by him and the moment he met the actor in person. “The name that had been floating in that vacuum suddenly took shape, right there on the screen in front of me .. large and in black and white .. that name, that visual often repeated in converse .. DILIP KUMAR .. there was something in his presence .. when he appeared all others became a blurred focus .. when he spoke, you felt right, convinced .. and you came back with all of that home .. and it remained with you.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan) × Bachchan spoke about the time he ran into Dilip Saab at a restaurant and mustered up the courage to go up to him and ask for an autograph. “After long contemplation which drove me to awe and shivering excitement, I decided to approach him for an autograph .. but no autograph book .. so out again in the street, a book bought and inside the restaurant again and the relief to still find him there .. the walk up to him .. he is concentrated conversation .. i push my words to him in general and the book in hand .. there is no reaction .. he did not even look at me or the book .. and after a short while walked away , out through the door and gone .. the autograph book still in my vacant hands .. the autograph book was not important at all .. it was his presence .. that’s it.” Talking about the Padma Bhushan awardee’s charm and charisma, Bachchan wrote, “You never found a single element out of place when he performed on screen or in his non public appearance , or even the public appearance .. his eyes his walk his each limb his every spoken word was like poetry .. the graph and the tone , the pauses the rapid fire , the run by a train , that glass of the sorrow and the inconsequential and consequential expressions of learning.” Amitabh Bachchan was present when the last rites of the deceased actor were being performed at Juhu Qabrastan in Mumbai. He recalled with a heavy heart, “I stand in front of this mound on the earth, freshly dug .. a few garlands and flowers scattered about over the mound .. and no one around him .. he sleeps underneath .. under the earth of his bearing .. it is peaceful and quiet .. this large presence .. this mountain of talent .. this gregarious creative visionary .. this excellence of the excelled .. the ultimate .. now reduced to a small mound of grave .. he is gone.” “History shall ever be .. before Dilip Kumar after Dilip Kumar .. that is how it always was .. now more so than ever,” concluded Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan remembers Dilip Kumar; says his ‘every spoken word was like poetry’

As Dilip Kumar bids farewell, these iconic on-screen pairings will resonate with fans forever

Indian cinema's original superstar Dilip Kumar turned 95 on 11th December. The actor, who has ruled hearts for generations has given Indian cinema some iconic films. Here's a look at the films that made the actor a star.

Remembering Dilip Kumar: The most iconic films of the megastar of Bollywood