Leaders Mourn Actor Dilip Kumar's Death

Veteran Bollywood actor and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Dilip Kumar passed away after battling a prolonged illness this morning.

The 98-year-old breathed his last at 7:30 am this morning at Mumbai's P D Hinduja Hospital where he was receiving treatment for bilateral pleural effusion. He is survived by his wife Saira Banu who is, herself, a veteran actress.

The cultural icon, known for his amazing range as an actor in films like Jugnu, Deedar, Devdas, Shabnam, Azaad, Shaheed and Paigham, was laid to rest at Mumbai's Juhu Qabarstan in the presence of many eminent personalities from the film fraternity at 5:00 pm today.

Many leaders in Telangana expressed their shock at Kumar's passing.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed his grief at Kumar's demise and lauded the services of the actor to the Indian film industry.

Conveying his condolences to the bereaved family, he said, "Dilip Kumar served the masses for decades with his legendary acting. His death is a great loss to the film industry."

IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao also expressed sorrow at the acting legend's death, and stated, "Dilip Kumar was a veteran actor who served the film industry for several decades. His work and legacy have inspired many actors and actresses and will continue to do so for generations. The film industry has lost a legend today."

Other leaders, including Nalgonda MP and former TPCC head N Uttam Kumar Reddy, also expressed their sorrow at the eight-time Filmfare Award winner's demise. Reddy took to Twitter to convey his condolences to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra CM Uddhav B Thackeray, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Ram Charan were among the scores of others who mourned the actor's death.