Thank you for loving our hero


Thank you for loving our hero
Home Minister Rajnath Singh conferring the 'Padma Vibhushan Samman' to legendary film actor Dilip Kumar at his residence in Mumbai. Photo tweeted by @BJPRajnathSingh

What enabled Indian film icon Dilip Kumar to accept Pakistan’s highest civilian award despite opposition at home? Mahesh Bhatt dwells on ‘patriotism’ and true leadership

The Indian government presented its second highest honour Padma Vibhushan to film legend film star Dilip Kumar, 93, at his home on December 13, 2015. Photos of the Home Minister Rajnath Singh presenting the award to Kumar reminded acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt of a conversation back in 2004, during the Bite The Mango Film Festival in Bradford, UK.

During a memorable interview of Dilip Kumar conducted by Mahesh Bhatt, the ‘king of tragedy’ told Bhatt how and why he had “decided to ignore the Shiv Sena’s diktat’ regarding the Nishaan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award bestowed upon him in 1997.

Dilip Kumar receiving the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in Pakistan, 1999. File photo

Dilip Kumar receiving the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in Pakistan, 1999. File photo

The award, that Kumar accepted in 1999, had been conferred on him “for his contribution to a deeper Indo-Pak understanding,” recalled Bhatt in a recent article.

Pakistan’s gesture had drawn opposition in India where, in echoes of the kind of backlash Aamir Khan is facing these days, a certain section of society had questioned Kumar’s patriotism.

Dilip Kumar, recalls Bhatt, was able to take on the opposition and “all those people who were questioning his allegiance to this country head on, because of the support of the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Vajpayee, had declared without mincing words, that there was no doubt about Dilip Kumar’s patriotism and commitment to the nation.  Dilip Saab had categorically mentioned in his letter to the Prime Minister that he was ready to return this prestigious award if Vajpayee felt that doing so would serve the national interest,” wrote Bhatt.

“It is Atal Bihari Vajpayee who needs to be thanked for firmly standing behind this King of Kings and making a historic trip possible,” he asserts.

As for how the Peshawar-born actor was received in Pakistan, Dilip Kumar told Bhatt in 2004, “We stars are used to being revered by all kinds of people, but what happened in Pakistan when I went to receive the award is something that you have to hear Mahesh.”

He said he was scheduled to meet Nawaz Sharif, who was also the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time. When he contacted the prime minister’s to finalise the time of his appointment, “What I was then told humbled me,” he said.

“Imagine my surprise when I was informed by his office that it was not me who was to come to the PM’s office, but that the prime minister was coming to meet me!”

Then, when Nawaz Sharif arrived to meet Dilip Kumar with his entourage, he sat with him for over an hour, “with the humility and childlike eagerness of a true fan of the thespian,” writes Bhatt.

“This self-effacing attribute of PM, Navaz Sharif left me awestruck,” Dilip Kumar told Bhatt.

Bhatt writes that, “simple human gestures of leaders of state resonate far beyond the work that they may do in their official capacity. By honoring this great actor who has been the reference point for the Hindi film industry for the last sixty years, Navaz Sharif had come closer to those millions of people who have cried, laughed and applauded this great actor in the darkness of auditoriums all over the world.”

And when Mahesh Bhatt visited Pakistan as part of a peace delegation some years ago and went to meet Nawaz Sharif, who was not in power then, at his “palatial house on the outskirts of Lahore, Bhatt told him, “Sir, I love you for loving my hero.’”

“Why don’t you bring Dilip Saab here and you too join us and spend at least a month with us and enjoy our hospitality,” Sharif responded with a warm smile.

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif with his then Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee: the man who made it possible. File photo: Associated Press (AP)

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif with his then Indian counterpart Atal Bihari Vajpayee: the man who made it possible. File photo: Associated Press (AP)

It is his love for his icon that made Nawaz Sharif declare Dilip Kumar’s house in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Peshawar, where he was born, a national heritage property, writes Bhatt.

“This was indeed the highest tribute that any actor could have received from the head of state of a country that is so much a part of our shared heritage and yet looked upon with animosity by those who propagate the politics of hate.”

On that historic occasion, Saira Bano, “with tears of joy in her eyes,” had said, ‘It would be wonderful if our Government too would acknowledge his contribution,’ recalls Bhatt.

“The thirsty know that real thirst draws out water from a parched and empty sky.  The prayer which had emanated from Saira Jee’s heart has found its answer today.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “has warmed the hearts of millions of Indians all over the world by sending his emissaries to Dilip Saab’s abode, to give him his much-deserved award,”

“Too little too late?  No way. Better late than never! Thank you Mr. Modi for loving our hero,” says Bhatt.

His words echo the thoughts not just of Indians but Pakistanis and film and peace lovers around the world.

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