Actor Dilip Kumar, who left crores of eyes moist on Wednesday morning, immigrated to India from Pakistan just like all the other popular families of Hindi cinema immigrated. Raj Kapoor made the first attempt to bring him in Hindi cinema. But Devika Rani’s head was tied to bring her in front of the camera. Dilip Kumar became the reason for many stories in his career, but there was a rift in the city of Mumbai when the government of Pakistan gave him its highest civilian award, ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz’. Shiv Sena still had a mixed government in Maharashtra. But, as soon as the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee stood as a shield for Dilip Kumar in front of the ruckus of the Shiv Sainiks, the whole issue disappeared within minutes.

Dilip Kumar

It was a matter of those days when there was tremendous anger against Pakistan in the whole country. All the soldiers of the Indian Army were martyred on the peaks of Kargil. After what the Pakistan Army did in Kargil in the summer of 1999, demonstrations started in front of Dilip Kumar’s house in Mumbai. Shiv Sena demanded Dilip Kumar to return the ‘Nishan-e-Imtiaz’ honor he met with the Pakistan government. Dilip Kumar initially thought that it was a matter of a few days and the matter would cool down. But, it didn’t happen.

Under constant pressure, Dilip Kumar then sought time from the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee. Bajpayee even called him for a meeting. The conversation between the two continued for about half an hour. And, when Dilip Kumar came out after this meeting, there was satisfaction on his face and there was also the pride of being an Indian. The then Prime Minister of the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee had said, “There is no doubt about the patriotism of film star Dilip Kumar and his dedication towards the country.”

Dilip Kumar

Apart from this, an official statement was also issued on behalf of Vajpayee.  The statement said, “Dilip Kumar has proved his patriotism and his dedication towards the country throughout his film career. It is now up to him whether he wants to keep this award received in his personal capacity or not. No one should be pressurizing them to return it.”