DHAKA: Screen legend Dilip Kumar was taken to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital on April 16 after complaining of respiratory problems.

The 93-year-old actor has now been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but is being closely monitored because of his age. Dilip saab has been in and out of hospital over the last two years.

‘The next 72 hours are crucial. He is under observation. We are keeping a close watch. He might have to be shifted to the ICU. It takes time for a patient to respond to the treatment in the same way as it takes three hours for the food to digest,’ Dr Jalil Parkar told news agencies, reports NDTV.

Dilip saab was taken to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra on Saturday around 2-2.30am, hospital sources said.

Dr Parkar said that Dilip saab had fever and had vomited a few times. ‘He was suffering from pneumonia as well. His white blood cells had shot up. We thought it would be better to admit him to hospital.’

Sources close to the family said that there was nothing to worry about. ‘He is normal. He is fine. There is nothing like that,’ they said, when asked whether the actor was in a serious condition.

Dilip Kumar was born Mohammad Yusuf Khan and his six-decade career is studded with acclaimed classics such as Madhumati, Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam and Naya Daur.

Dilip saab, who married actress Saira Banu in 1966, is well-known for playing tragic heroes in films like Andaz, Baabul, Mela, Deedar and Jogan. He was last seen in 1998 film Qila.

Dilip Kumar’s many awards include the Padma Vibhushan, which he received in 2015.

He was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. He was the first winner of the Filmfare Best Actor award - for 1956’s Azaad - and shares the record for the most wins - eight - with Shah Rukh Khan.

Dilip saab also received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award in 1993.

BDST: 1505 HRS, APR 16, 2016
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