The legendary Dilip Kumar, revered as the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, shared an iconic on-screen bond with Madhubala in the epic Mughal-e-Azam. However, behind the scenes of this cinematic masterpiece lay a profound personal betrayal that led the actor to sever a deep friendship and even boycott the film's grand premiere.
The Betrayal That Shattered a Bond
During the prolonged and tumultuous making of Mughal-e-Azam, director K Asif and Dilip Kumar developed a strong friendship. This bond deepened as Kumar navigated a painful breakup with his co-star Madhubala. Asif became a frequent visitor to the Kumar household, a trust that was soon violated.
Unbeknownst to Dilip Kumar, Asif had developed a romantic relationship with the actor's younger sister, Akhtar. The situation was fraught with controversy: K Asif was a twice-married man, having been wed to Sitara Devi and then to Mughal-e-Azam actress Nigar Sultana. Furthermore, he was nearly twice Akhtar's age.
In his memoir, 'Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow', the actor expressed his shock and disappointment. He had supported Akhtar's education, even facilitating her studies in the US in the 1950s. The decision of his accomplished sister to elope with Asif, without his consent and knowing his certain disapproval, left him deeply disillusioned.
A Premiere Boycotted and a Curse Uttered
The emotional toll was immense. Having already endured a heartbreak during the film's shoot, this betrayal from a confidante was too much to bear. Once his work on the film was complete, Dilip Kumar distanced himself completely. He refused to participate in any promotional activities and pointedly did not attend the historic premiere of Mughal-e-Azam.
Sitara Devi, Asif's first wife, revealed in Kumar's memoir that the actor was utterly shattered. She saw Dilip as a younger brother and was enraged by Asif's actions. In her anger, she cursed Asif for betraying Dilip Kumar's implicit trust. She reportedly told him he would die young for this sin. When K Asif eventually passed away in 1971 at the age of 48, Sitara Devi recalled her curse, believing it had come true.
An Estrangement Healed by Saira Banu
For years after the elopement, Dilip Kumar remained estranged from his sister Akhtar. The rift persisted even after Asif's death. However, years later, a critically ill Akhtar reached out, wishing to see her brother. Dilip Kumar was initially adamant about not going, still hurt by the past betrayal.
It was his wife, Saira Banu, who played the pivotal role of a peacemaker. Despite facing her own challenges with Dilip Kumar's sisters, Saira Banu persuaded her husband to visit Akhtar in the hospital. This compassionate act eventually mended the broken bridge, and Akhtar was welcomed back into the family fold in their later years.
The saga remains a poignant chapter in Bollywood history, revealing the intense personal dramas that unfolded behind the creation of one of India's greatest films. Dilip Kumar, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 98, carried the memory of this betrayal, a stark contrast to the immortal romance he portrayed on screen.
