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If you’re a film buff, you’re probably aware that legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s real name wasn’t Dilip Kumar. In the 1970s, the late actor himself revealed the story behind his name change on the BBC show “Nayi Zindagi, Naya Jeevan.” 

While talking to BBC presenter Mahendra Kaul, Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar’s birth name) said that he changed his name before entering films because he was afraid of being beaten up.

Dilip Kumar told the reason for changing his name 

When Mahendra Kaul asked him what name he preferred to be called, Dilip Kumar smiled and said, “My close friends call me Yusuf Khan. But professionally, I am known as Dilip Kumar. So, call me by whichever name you find most comfortable.” Mahendra Kaul asked, “But why did you change your name?”

Dilip Kumar then mischievously replied, “Should I tell you the truth? I adopted this name out of fear of being beaten up. My late father, may his soul rest in peace, was strongly against films. His close friend was Lala Basheshwarnath Kapoor, whose son Prithviraj Kapoor also acted in films. My father would complain to his friend, ‘Look what your handsome son is doing—he is doing films.’ Dilip Kumar continued, “So, when I entered films, I was afraid of criticism. My father was very short-tempered. I was afraid that if he found out, he would be very angry.”

About Dilip Kumar 

Dilip Kumar is considered one of the best actors in India and the world. He is known by audiences as the “Emperor of Acting.” He was India’s most popular actor from independence until the 1960s. He is the most successful actor in Hindi cinema to date. He is also credited with introducing method acting to the screen for the first time in the world. Dilip Kumar has received India’s second and third highest civilian awards, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. He also received Pakistan’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz.