Work on the Dilip Kumar Museum kicks off… Now that’s a grand idea!

By Nichola

on October 12, 2017

It’s a fitting wedding anniversary gift for legendary actor Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu… Only yesterday, October 11, the couple celebrated 51 years of marital togetherness and a blissful message from Saira Banu was shared… “On our 51^st anniversary we want to thank our friends and families and millions of fans for their prayers & love. Saab enjoyed at his 48 Pali Hill residence. In this pic Raihan (our nephew), Kishore Bajaj and Ajay Ashar of Black Rock Developers. Thank you, Almighty God for making our journey beautiful with joy & peace.”

https://twitter.com/TheDilipKumar/status/918070449640235009

The presence of the developers signals the start of a project which will see the 94-year-old actor’s bungalow at Pali Hill being redeveloped into a multi-storeyed building, which will not only contain the couple’s residential apartment but a museum celebrating Yusuf sa’ab’s illustrious career in Hindi films.

https://twitter.com/TheDilipKumar/status/918081092648923136

Just last month the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of the nonagenarian actor in the dispute between him and Prajita Developers. With Black Rock now on board to redevelop the property, their priority is to complete the project as soon as possible, in order to fulfil the iconic star’s dream during his lifetime.

https://twitter.com/TheDilipKumar/status/918163632533282816

The museum will be a fitting tribute to one of Hindi cinema’s greatest figures, who has been described as ‘the ultimate method actor’ by none other than Satyajit Ray. Film students and fans alike would appreciate the chance to view glimpses into the professional and personal life of the actor who became famous as the Tragedy King, and brought realism to film acting from his very first film in 1944.

For old-timers, the redevelopment of the bungalow will also be the passing of an era. Back during Yusuf sa’ab’s heyday it was the centre of attraction in filmland, the place where the industry’s bright and beautiful regularly congregated. In its new avatar, and with a museum that will allow access to lay-people, that trend could receive a further boost.