In the early 1960s, Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar reportedly severed ties with Mughal-e-Azam director K Asif following a deeply personal betrayal that shook their long-standing friendship. Kumar, who earned
immense acclaim for his portrayal of Prince Salim in the 1960 cinematic epic, was said to have been devastated after discovering that Asif — already married twice — had secretly eloped with his younger sister, Akhtar.
The revelation reportedly came as a severe emotional blow to Kumar, who had until then shared a close professional and personal bond with Asif. Feeling betrayed by someone he trusted deeply, the actor distanced himself from both Asif and his sister for several years. According to accounts from that time, Kumar was so affected that he chose to skip the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam, despite the film being one of the most ambitious projects of his career.
Dilip Kumar’s Fallout With K Asif in the 1960s
Dilip Kumar had stood by Mughal-e-Azam for nearly a decade during its famously prolonged production, believing firmly in Asif’s grand vision. However, news of Asif’s relationship with Akhtar reportedly shattered that trust beyond repair.
With Kumar’s support, Akhtar had been pursuing her education overseas, and reports suggest that the actor remained unaware of the relationship until it had already culminated in marriage. His disappointment was compounded by Asif’s marital history — he had previously been married to renowned dancer Sitara Devi and later to actress Nigar Sultana.
Believing that his sister had been misled, Kumar made the painful decision to cut ties with her as well, a rift that lasted several years and further distanced him from all events related to Mughal-e-Azam.
Why Dilip Kumar Stayed Away From Mughal-e-Azam’s Premiere
By the time Mughal-e-Azam was finally completed and released in 1960, Dilip Kumar reportedly chose not to attend its premiere or associated celebrations. Despite the film’s historic success and eventual status as a classic, Kumar is said to have declined public acknowledgement, unwilling to celebrate a creative triumph linked to personal betrayal.
Recalling that period, Sitara Devi later stated, “Asif had betrayed Dilip Bhai’s trust, which is why he did not attend the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam and even refused to watch the trial shows.”
Sitara Devi’s Anger and Aftermath
Sitara Devi, who considered Dilip Kumar her younger brother and affectionately called him “bhaijaan,” expressed profound anger over Asif’s actions. In recollections shared later, she spoke of having cursed Asif for betraying Kumar’s trust, words that gained retrospective attention after Asif’s untimely death in 1971 at the age of 48.
While some later speculated on a connection between her curse and his early death, such accounts remain part of Bollywood’s enduring folklore rather than verified fact.
A Family Rift Healed Years Later
Even after K Asif’s death, Dilip Kumar reportedly remained estranged from his sister Akhtar. It was years later, through the efforts of Saira Banu, that the fractured family relationship was finally repaired, leading to Akhtar’s reconciliation with her brother.
Dilip Kumar went on to live a long life, passing away in 2021 at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Indian cinema.
