On 07 July was legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s second death anniversary. Easily the finest actor of Indian film firmament, there will never be another superstar like him. Two years ago, I penned a farewell to the legend for a leading newspaper. Today, I revisit the memory.
I first met Dilip Kumar ssometime in the mid-seventies. I was still in college and doing an internship with a film journal. I was assigned to cover a press conference and arrived at the venue, fashionably late, unable to find an empty seat in the packed auditorium. Embarrassed to walk down the corridor, I stopped in a corner and focused on what was happening on the stage.
A long table covered with white cloth over which were placed some unsteady flower bouquets. Behind the table, sat half a dozen unfamiliar faces and amidst them in the center was Dilip Kumar seated in the center. He noticed me from the stage and guided me to walk ahead to the front row that was empty. I was too embarrassed to look up but when I did, I saw Dilip Kumar was smiling at me and in response, I briefly nodded.
To be concluded