July 7 marked the end of an era. Veteran actor Dilip Kumar breathed his last today at a Mumbai hospital, leaving a great legacy behind. The legendary actor was admitted to Hinduja Hospital last week after complaining of breathlessness and succumbed to age-related health problems today. To honour him, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that Dilip Kumar’s funeral will be a state affair.
Thackeray announced that Kumar will be honoured with a state funeral, “Chief Minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has instructed that the funeral of veteran actor Dilip Kumar will be held in a state funeral,” read a tweet from Uddhav Thackeray’s official handle.
Dilip Kumar’s wife Saira Banu was constantly by his side at the hospital while he underwent treatment. Thackeray visited her later at Kumar’s home with son Aaditya Thackrey. He posted the picture of the same on Twitter and wrote, “Paid our respects to the legend, Dilip Kumar Saheb. He will be accorded state honours today.”
The death announcement was made by the actor’s family friend, Faisal Farooqui, on July 7 morning. This tweet was followed by details of Dilip Kumar’s funeral. It was informed that the actor’s last rites will be held at the Juhu Cemetery on Wednesday evening. “Burial today at 5:00 PM. Juhu Qabrastan at Santacruz Mumbai,” read the tweet.
Kumar was draped in tricolour and then was taken to Juhu Qabrastan, in Santacruz for burial. Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi amongst other celebrities visited his home to offer condolences and pay their last respects to the ‘King of Tragedy’.
Saira Banu thanked PM Narendra Modi for his message and said, “Thank you hon’ ble @PMOIndia
Shri @narendramodi ji for your early morning gracious phone call and condolences.” Thanking Thackrey and Modi, Banu also said, “Thank you @PMOIndia and @CMOMaharashtra for according Dilip Sahib burial with state funeral protocols.”
