Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who turned 94 on Sunday, will have a low key birthday celebration in hospital where he is currently recovering after being admitted following illness.
Dilip Kumar was admitted to Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre here on Wednesday after swelling in one of his legs.
His wife Saira Banu said Dilip Kumar is resting and people's prayers are needed for the thespian to recoup.
Saira Banu said: "He is resting and we need your 'dua' (prayers) for him to recoup well and all should be fine by his birthday. Please pray for his quick and safe recovery."
"He is resting now. He is in the ICU, but he is doing well, there is nothing to worry. Close family and friends have been visiting him since morning. We will cut the cake once he is awake. It will be a quiet birthday this time," she told PTI today.
"We are thankful to all the fans and media for their loveand well wishes. He will be in hospital today, he is not getting discharged," she said.
"He didn't get discharged today (Sunday). He will be in the hospital for a couple of days more. His swelling has also come down and he is under observation. He is likely to get discharged in the next two days," Saira Banu's manager Murshid told IANS.
Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who celebrates his birthday two days ahead of Dilip Kumar, said: "This country's most talented and enduring thespian is fast recovering at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre. We want him to be healthy and happy. He is a national treasure."
Veteran actor Dharmendra said: "Dilip Saab is the reason I became an actor. We all look up to him and try to be like him. I am praying for him to recover quickly."
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Rishi Kapoor among other Bollywood celebrities took to Twitter to wish "the greatest actor" on his birthday.
"To the greatest.. Dilip Kumar.. on his birthday Dec 11, wishes prayers and duas for good health and happiness," Bachchan wrote.
Calling him the "Aakhri Mughal of the Hindi film industry", Azmi tweeted, "Salgirah mubarak @TheDilipKumar. You have been such an inspiration to millions. Respect."
Rishi posted, "Many Happy Returns of this day to our dearest Yusuf Uncle! God Bless! Love, respects and affection-"Sunny Boy"!"
Last year, Kumar had a quiet birthday celebration as a mark of solidarity to the victims of deluge in Chennai.
Born in Peshawar as Yousuf Khan, the actor adopted the screen name Dilip Kumar.
He made his debut in acting with "Jwar Bhata" in 1944 and went on to give memorable performances in films like "Mughal-e-Azam", "Ganga Jaumna", "Devdas", "Andaz, Babul", "Aan", "Amar", "Shaheed", "Naya Daur", "Madhumati", "Ram Aur
Shyam", "Shakti"and "Mashaal" among others.
Kumar portrayed tragic roles through the 1940s, 50s and 60s in films like "Mela", "Devdas", "Dil Diya Dard Liya" and others, which gave him the moniker of 'Tragedy King of Bollywood'.
Later, he shifted to doing lighter roles in films like "Ram Aur Shyam", "Tarana" and "Kohinoor" and showed that he is equally good at comedy.
He was last seen on-screen in the 1998 film "Qila". The thespian has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contribution to the Indian cinema.
The Pakistan government also honoured him with its highest civilian honour - Nishan-e-Imtiaz - in 1997.
(With agencies)
