Mohammed Yusuf Khan, later known as Dilip Kumar, was born on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar, British India (now Pakistan). He was one of the 12 children of Lala Ghulam Sarwar Ali Khan and Ayesha Begum. His father was a fruit merchant.

• Parents:
  Lala Ghulam Sarwar Ali Khan (Father)
  Ayesha Begum (Mother)
• Siblings:
  Nasir Khan
  Ehsan Khan
  Aslam Khan
  Noor Mohammed
  Ayub Sarwar
  Fauzia Khan
  Sakina Khan
  Taj Khan
  Farida Khan
  Saeeda Khan
  Akhtar Asif
• Spouse:
  Saira Banu (m. 1966)
  Asma Rehman (m. 1981; div. 1983)
• Relatives:
  Begum Para (Sister-in-law)
  Ayub Khan (Nephew)
  K. Asif (Brother-in-law)
  Naseem Banu (Mother-in-law)
  Sayyeshaa (Grandniece)

He received his education at the Barnes School in Deolali, Maharashtra.

His acting career began in 1944 with the film “Jwar Bhata,” which failed to make an impact.

Despite two more unsuccessful attempts, his fourth film, “Jugnu,” in 1947, starring alongside Noor Jehan, became his breakthrough hit and garnered attention at the box office.

• His next significant successes came with the films "Shaheed" and "Mela" in 1948.
• His movies “Jugnu” and “Shaheed” emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi films of their respective release years.
• In 1949, he came up with “Andaz,” a film co-starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis, which became the highest-grossing Indian film of its time. Despite being surpassed by Kapoor’s “Barsaat,” his success continued with “Shabnam,” affirming his box office appeal.
• The 1950s marked his most successful and prolific decade, featuring him in leading roles in numerous box office hits. He played pivotal characters in acclaimed films such as “Jogan” (1950), “Babul” (1950), “Deedar” (1951), “Tarana” (1951), “Daag” (1952), “Aan” (1952), “Uran Khatola” (1955), “Insaniyat” (1955), “Devdas” (1955), “Naya Daur” (1957), “Yahudi” (1958), “Madhumati” (1958), and “Paigham” (1959).
• He formed popular on-screen pairings with leading actresses of the time, including Vyjayanthimala, Madhubala, Nargis, Nimmi, Meena Kumari, and Kamini Kaushal.
• Alongside fellow contemporaries Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, he dominated the 1950s, considered a golden era of Hindi cinema. Though the trio never appeared together in a single film.
• In the 1960 iconic film “Mughal-E-Azam,” he shines as Prince Salim, portraying the conflicted prince torn between love and duty with depth and emotion. His performance, alongside Madhubala, a court dancer named Anarkali in a movie, whom he falls in love with, captivated audiences and earned critical acclaim. The movie garnered the National Film Award for “Best Feature Film” and the Filmfare Award for “Best Film.”
• In 1961 he showcased his multifaceted talent by writing, producing, and starring in the film “Ganga Jamuna.” The film garnered several prestigious awards, including the National Film Award.
• In 1970, his success continued with “Gopi,” marking his first on-screen pairing with his wife Saira Banu, followed by the Bengali film “Sagina Mahato,” his sole venture in Bengali cinema.
• In 1981, Dilip Kumar made a remarkable comeback, transforming into elderly character roles, notably in the historical epic “Kranti,” which emerged as the year’s biggest hit. Portraying the titular revolutionary, it led an ensemble cast in India’s fight for independence, setting a new trajectory for his career

Iconic bollywood actors Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar tied the knot on October 11, 1966, marking the culmination of a remarkable love story. Despite the notable age gap, Saira Banu was 12 and he was 44 when they got married. Their bond grew stronger over time, but the couple did not have children.

1981 Dilip Kumar entered into a second marriage with Hyderabad socialite Asma Rahman. However, their union came to an end in January 1983.

He possessed diverse talents and interests, was fluent in numerous languages, and was passionate about music and cricket. Beyond his linguistic prowess, he showcased his love for cricket by leading a team in a charity match against Raj Kapoor, reflecting his multifaceted persona.

In 1998, Dilip Kumar bid farewell to the silver screen with “Qila,” a box office disappointment where he portrayed dual roles. Playing an evil landowner and his twin brother seeking justice, he delivered a memorable performance in his final film appearance, marking the end of a legendary career in Indian cinema.

Alongside his cinematic pursuits, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006, representing Maharashtra and utilizing his MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) fund for public infrastructure projects, including the Bandstand Promenade and gardens at Bandra Fort in Mumbai.

In 2014, the house of Dilip Kumar in Peshawar, Pakistan, was designated as a national heritage monument by then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He achieved unparalleled success in bollywood, receiving eight Filmfare Awards for “Best Actor,” the most by any actor, along with a prestigious Filmfare “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 1993. He holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the “Best Actor” category.

Additionally, he was honored with Special Recognition at the 50th Filmfare Award for his pioneering contributions to Indian cinema alongside legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Naushad Ali.

The legendary actor passed away at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, on July 7, 2021, at the age of 98, after battling a prolonged illness including pleural effusion.

The Government of Maharashtra granted him a burial with state honors at the Juhu Muslim Cemetery, adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

• Mumbai’s Honorary Sheriff 1980
• Padma Bhushan 1991
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award 1994
• NTR National Award 1997
• CNN-IBN’s Lifetime Achievement Award 2009
• Voted Greatest Indian Actor of All Time in a Rediff Readers Poll 2011
• World Book of Records honor for contributions to Indian Cinema 2019
• Guinness World Record for most awards by an Indian actor 2020