PESHAWAR: The lovers of legendary Bollywood star Mohammad Yousuf Khan, widely known as Dilip Kumar, celebrated his 95th birthday here on Monday.

Cultural Heritage Council (CHC), a non-government organisation, in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa culture department, organised a cake cutting ceremony at the Peshawar Press Club, where people from different walks of life were in attendance.

Shakil Waheedullah, the CHC chief and the event organiser, said since Dilip Kumar was born in Peshawar and spent 12 years of his childhood in the historical city, they celebrated his birthday in the provincial metropolis.

By organising the event, he said the people wanted to give a message to the legendary actor that he was still loved by the people of his birthplace. Besides, he added, ‘we also wanted to bring the people of Pakistan and India closer and give them a message of love and peace.’

Saira Bano, the wife of Dilip Kumar, also addressed the gathering telephonically and thanked the people of Peshawar for expressing love with her husband and described it a proof that Peshawariits were true lovers of the artist.

“He is under treatment, and will himself talk to the people of Peshawar once he gets well,” she said.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2017