PESHAWAR, Dec 11: The Cultural Heritage Council arranged a function here on Tuesday to pay tribute to the legendary Indian film star of yesteryears, Dilip Kumar, on his 90th birthday.

Known as Yousuf Khan in Peshawar, the city of his birth, Mr Kumar is regarded as iconic force behind the huge success of present day Hindi cinema due to his proven acting skills. The perfection with which Mr Kumar acted in films made him darling of movie-watchers and was called king of emotions because of his ability to enact difficult roles in shortest span of time.

Participants of the function, organised by the council at Peshawar Press Club, praised the career of Mr Kumar as an actor, while noting that his work for social development of the downtrodden was also commendable.

They observed that Mr Kumar was the most popular actor ever born in the subcontinent. His wife, Saira Bano, also spoke to participants of the function via phone and congratulated them on celebrating the birthday of her husband. Ms Bano said that they were eager to visit Peshawar as soon as possible.

Ms Bano, also a noted heroine of the past, said that her husband wanted to talk to people, but couldn’t due to his ill health. She said that the love they had been getting from Pakistani people kept them attached to them. She thanked the people on behalf of her husband and urged them to pray for his good health.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the houses of Indian film actors, including Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and others, would be persevered.

“We take immense pride in him (Mr Kumar) as one of the tallest personalities of showbiz who also engage in social work,” he said. Mr Hussain, who also holds the portfolio of culture department, said that the government would take care of the houses as a national asset.

The information minister said that the government would buy Dilip Kumar’s house located in Qissakhwani through the cultural department after fulfillment of legal formalities. Earlier, the speakers demanded of the provincial government to buy the house of Yousaf Khan and preserve it for coming generation.

They also lauded Pakistani stars performing in other countries, especially in India, and playing important role in ending hatred and trying to restore relations between the two countries. People at another ceremony at Nishtar Hall also congratulated Mr Kumar on his birthday.