Dilip Kumar's birth anniversary: How Devdas star earned the titles Tragedy King, Abhinay Samrat

Dilip Kumar was a renowned actor in Indian cinema, widely regarded for his range. His legacy has left a lasting impact on generations to come. His prolific career spanned almost six decades, during which he portrayed a diverse range of characters. This earned him the title of 'Abhinay Samrat' (Emperor of Acting) by his adoring audience. However, over the years, he also came to be known as the Tragedy King, a title that still echoes with his name.

How did Dilip Kumar earn the title of Tragedy King

It is Dilip Kumar's birth anniversary, and on this occasion, let's go down memory lane and learn how the megastar earned the title of Tragedy King. Kumar was a pioneer of method acting, and his style of acting inspired many actors such as Balraj Sahni, Amitabh Bachchan, Manoj Kumar, Mammootty and Kamal Haasan, among others. However, it was because of his dramatic and methodical acting that earned him the title of Tragedy King.  

During his early career, he starred in films such as Devdas, Paigham and Mughal-e-Azam, which had tragic plots. During the filming, the actor used to immerse himself in the role, which left a great impact on his mind, leaving him “depressed”. Especially, after starring in Devdas, the late actor was reportedly advised by his psychiatrist to take up lighter roles for his mental well-being.

Later, Dilip Kumar was seen doing movies like Kohinoor, Gunga Jumna and Gopi, among others.

Dilip Kumar death

Dilip Kumar died at  Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, on 7 July 2021 at 7:30 am, aged 98, after prolonged illness. He had been suffering from age-related issues and was later diagnosed with pleural effusion. The Government of Maharashtra approved his burial with state honours under COVID-19 restrictions at the Juhu Muslim Cemetery that same day.