Peshawar's cinematic legacy lives on
Arriving hand in hand with her grandfather, 13-year-old Malaika Khan and her 11-year-old brother, Ibrahim Khan, could barely contain their excitement as they stood before the ancestral home of subcontinent cinema icon Yusuf Khan, better known as Dilip Kumar.
Dilip Kumar's four-marla house, located in Mohalla Khudadad near the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, has been declared a protected monument by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government under the Antiquity Act of 1997. The recognition impressed Malaika and Ibrahim, residents of Pabbi, Nowshera district.
"I have heard a lot about Dilip Kumar's house, and today my dream came true. Thank you, Baba Jan," Malaika told APP, her eyes gleaming with joy. For her and many other young visitors, Peshawar is more than an ancient city; it is a living museum of cinematic heritage.
The city has nurtured cinema legends who ruled subcontinent film industries in both Pakistan and India, leaving lasting imprints on generations of movie lovers. With a history spanning some 3,000 years, Peshawar has long been a cradle of artistic talent.
Often called the City of Artists, Peshawar is the ancestral home of Bollywood giants such as Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. Their families lived for generations in the alleys around Qissa Khwani Bazaar before migrating to British India. Raj Kapoor's father, Prithviraj Kapoor, widely regarded as a pioneer of Indian theatre and film, moved to Mumbai in 1930, establishing a dynasty that continues to this day.
Shah Rukh Khan also traces his roots to Qissa Khwani Bazaar, where his father, Taj Muhammad Khan, was born and raised. SRK visited Peshawar several times in his youth to meet relatives, including his cousin Noor Jehan.
Dilip Kumar was born on December 11, 1922, and spent nearly 13 years in Peshawar before migrating to Mumbai in 1935, where his father established a fruit business.
"Dilip uncle was an inborn film star. Even as a child, he walked and talked like a legend," recalled his nephew Faud Ishaq, former president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dilip Kumar dominated Indian cinema for six decades, earning titles such as 'King of Romance and Tragedy'. His memorable performances in 'Naya Daur', 'Ganga Jamna', 'Devdas', 'Kohinoor', 'Babul', 'Andaz', 'Mashaal', and 'Karma' left an indelible mark on film history. "The history of subcontinent cinema is incomplete without Dilip Kumar," said celebrated actor Javed Babar.
He received Pakistan's highest civil award, the Nishan-i-Imtiaz, in 1998, recognising his role in fostering cultural connections between India and Pakistan. According to Faud Ishaq, Dilip Kumar held deep affection for Peshawar and had stated in his power of attorney that his ancestral home should be used for the welfare of Peshawaris.
During visits in 1988 and 1998, thousands flocked to Qissa Khwani to catch a glimpse of the Mughal-e-Azam star. "We attempted to take him to his house around 1:30am to avoid the crowds, but even at that hour, the area was jam-packed," Faud recalled.
Dilip Kumar also visited Bala Hisar Fort and enjoyed traditional Peshawari dishes such as chapli kebab, paya, and bakarkhani, while donning local attire including the Bhoski qamees, white shalwar, Teli chappal, and Karakuli (Jinnah) cap.
Assistant Director of Archaeology Bakhtzada Khan told APP that the K-P government took possession of Dilip Kumar's house and Raj Kapoor's six-marla haveli in 2020. Both structures have been declared protected monuments and will be converted into museums to honour the city's legendary sons.
The cinematic legacy of Peshawar extends beyond Bollywood's early icons. Film historian Muhammad Ibrahim Zia revealed that late Bollywood star Vinod Khanna was born in Peshawar in 1946 before migrating to India in 1947. His father, Mehr Chand Khanna, was a prominent businessman and former minister.
Peshawar has also produced renowned Pakistani film and television artists, including Muhammad Qavi Khan, Firdous Jamal, Najeebullah Anjum, and Ghazal maestro Khayal Muhammad, all of whom enjoyed immense popularity on screen.
As young Malaika gazed at Dilip Kumar's ancestral home, she was witnessing more than a building; she was touching the legacy of a city that nurtured stars who shaped the cinematic identity of the subcontinent. For Peshawar, these houses are enduring symbols of an artistic spirit that continues to inspire generations of film lovers.