Did you know Dilip Kumar was discovered by Devika Rani in Nainital?

Dilip Kumar is among those unparalleled talents that enriched the Hindi cinema with their craft. He was a phenomenon that was destined to happen to Hindi cinema. Otherwise, why would his father move to Mumbai from Peshawar? Why Devika Rani's eyes spotted only him in the crowd in Nainital's local market?

Hyderabad: If legendary screenwriter Javed Akhtar is anything to go by, Dilip Kumar is the first actor in the world who had independently found and mastered the technique of method acting. Akhtar in a show that he used to host had said that though Hollywood icon Marlon Brando rose to worldwide fame as the master of the technique the world failed to notice his counterpart from the East. But, did you know, Kumar's debut film Jwar Bhata happened by a quirk of fate?

It is widely reported that the actor was spotted by none other than the boss lady of Bombay Talkies, Devika Rani. Devika was not only a superstar of the era but owned the leading film production banner Bombay Talkies with her husband and filmmaker Himanshu Rai. Once she along with director Amiya Chakrabarty was location hunting in Nainital when Dilip Kumar, then Yusuf Khan, happened to be at the hill station too, on a business deal.

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On a chance meeting, Devika Rani was impressed by Yusuf's handsome Pathani frame. Giving him her card, Devika asked Yusuf to meet her once he returned to Mumbai. Soon, Yusuf had landed up in front of Devika Rani and Amiya Chakrabarty, giving a screen test for their upcoming film Jwar Bhata which marked Yusuf Khan's entry into Bollywood as Dilip Kumar. He was paid a monthly salary of Rs 1000 plus Rs 200 as war allowance -- a handsome package back in the day -- to work in the film.

The film tanked at the box office and Dilip was massively criticised in Filmindia which was one of the leading film magazines in those days. Not paying heed to what critics had to say, Devika Rani was sure of Dilip's talent and again signed him for films like Pratima and Milan.

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In fact, in his early years, Devika Rani, who was a powerful name in Bollywood, ensured Dilip Kumar had the right grooming to become a star. Without exaggeration, it was Devika Rani who gave us a Kohinoor in the form of Dilip Kumar. However, it took Dilip three years to put himself on the map with 1947 released Jugnu after which he never looked back and went on to be known as the greatest actor Indian cinema has ever produced.

Kumar, who passed away on Wednesday in Mumbai at the age of 98, was always the benchmark. The matinee icon bid adieu to films in 1998 with Quila, but his craft has continued to inspire actors across generations. From Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan and Ayushmann Khurrana are among the many actors who followed in his wake to better their craft. Not only actors, filmmakers like Bimal Roy and K Asif also banked on Kumar's ability as they needed an actor who equally invests time and emotions in the project and plays the characters that draw the audience in their environment.

-- Minal Dodia