Dilip Kumar ‘recovering well’ in hospital

Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who was hospitalised on Friday night due to “high fever and chest infection”, is recovering well, says his wife Saira Banu. The veteran actress also added he was not admitted in the ICU and is in a “stable” condition.

Dilip Kumar, 93, has been admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here. According to his family friend Udaya Tara Nayyar, he has pneumonia and is under medical supervision.

“He had high fever today (Saturday) morning so we got him to hospital. The actor has pneumonia and the doctors have started the medication," Udaya Tara Nayar told IANS.

"He is stable now, and under observation. The actor is not in ICU. He is doing fine," Nayar added.

The veteran actor was rushed to the hospital after he complained of fever and breathing problem.

Saira took to the actor's official Twitter account to quash reports that Dilip Kumar is in ICU.

She issued a statement which read: “Dilip Sahab was admitted to Lilavati Hospital for treatment of high fever and chest infection on April 15 night. He was advised intravenous administration of antibiotics for speedy recovery.

“Oral drugs would not act as fast as the IV injections, the doctors advised. Hence it became necessary to shift him to a hospital. He is recovering well and is stable by the grace of God and the care of the doctors treating him. He is in a room and in the hospital and not in the ICU as spread by rumours."

Born in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, Dilip Kumar, whose real name is Yusuf Khan, entered the Indian film industry in the black-and-white era and became a name to reckon with in the 1950s and 1960s.

He is credited with films like "Aan", "Daag", "Madhumati", "Paigham", "Leader" and "Ram Aur Shyam".

His cinematic gems range from the tragic story of "Devdas", the historical love saga "Mughal-E-Azam" to the dacoit drama "Ganga Jamuna".

After working for about six decades, he stepped away from the arclights in 1998. His last movie was "Qila".

Dilip Kumar was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, in 2015.