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Dilip Kumar: The Secret Behind His Famous Name
3 Aug
Summary
- Dilip Kumar's birth name was Yusuf Khan, changed fearing father's anger.
- He feared his father's reaction to his film career aspirations.
- Names like Dilip Kumar and Basudev were suggested; he didn't want Yusuf Khan.
Dilip Kumar, born Yusuf Khan, adopted his screen name out of fear of his father's strong opposition to the film industry. He shared in a BBC interview that his father was against acting, influenced by conversations with his friend, Prithviraj Kapoor, whose son also pursued films. Fearing his father's hot-headed nature and criticism, Yusuf Khan opted for a new identity.
Before entering cinema, several names were proposed, including Dilip Kumar and Basudev. However, he made it clear that his birth name, Yusuf Khan, would not be used. Eventually, an advertisement revealed that Dilip Kumar had been chosen for him, marking the beginning of his illustrious career. He passed away on July 7, 2021, at the age of 98.
