Dilip Kumar - The Substance and the Shadow : An Autobiography Hardcover – June 20, 2014

This book reads like a novel ! I have not read anything so fast-- not even a finished copy of my first novel: The Ashram. My wife Marjorie observed she has never seen me reading anything with such rapt attention.I came to the US in 1973 and by now I've seen most of Dilip Kumar's masterpieces, so I knew the ethos of the perfectionist actor: honest, realistic and creating piercing portrayal of many characters , through his diligent and industrious strides of slipping under the skin of the characters he played, so I knew the greatest actor Dilip Kumar. However, I did not know the man named Muhammad Yousuf Khan. I found him through this book: The Shadow & the Substance.He surfaces in this book as a complete HUMAN BEING: with all admirable virtues.. Warts & all: replete with -- admittedly Romantic (Uma, Madhubala, Sairaji & Asma Rehman), longsightedness ( turning down the cash- packed briefcase from a producer asking him to ride a buffalo) Begrudging ( refusing to visit his widowed hospitalized sister Akhtar until coaxed to do so by Sairaji), standing upto a bully ( Bal Thaktey), Izzatdaar to elders ( obeying Panditji's call to campaign for Krisna Menon).It was refreshing to see the actor Dilip Kumar surfacing as completely normal & noble human being in this book. Clearly, his soft- spoken, kindness and insightful quite demeanor of considerable abyss inherited from his mother. The read provided me with vicariously revisiting my own past: hailing from a conservatIve Muslim / Memon family of 5 brothers + 3 sisters and having our own strong- willed Matriarch Dadi, Aghaji, romantic rebel Noorsahab, headstrong elder sister and brainy, intellectual & avid reader Ayubsahab. .Oh, what a great treat it has been to immerse into this easy flowing yet revealing book! I highly recommend this autobiography where it clearly bespeaks Dilip Kumar's voice but deftly recorded by Udayatara Nayar.I equally enjoyed the Reminiscences provided by Rishi Kapoor ( your fatherly image), Subhash Ghai ( He should not behave like a Baniya), Nimmiji, Waheedaji ( extolling your eclectic virtues), Aamir Khan (inspiration), Amitabh Bacchan, another great actor who himself is so full of humility to say .. "there will be eras recorded by history as... before and after Dilip Kumar.." Jayaji ( rightfully declaring it is high time for the Government to recognize Dilip Kunar with The Bharat Ratna( are you listening Modiji?) Salimsahab ( .. Dilip Kumar is the greatest actor ever!) and Hunky Jat Dharmendra (had the gall to invade -- chori chori chupkese your house & catch you napping then retrieving like a thief - was so hilarious ) and finally the ode by your seven timer heroine Vayjayantimala stating so aptly and apropos ( there is and will be only one Dilip Kumar) ..loved all heart-felt and well-earned attributesPS: Aise Adakaar Bar Bar Janam Nahin Lete; Yousuf Sahab, Aapto Hamare Liye Allah Ka Ek Tohfa Hain. Aur Huzoor, you are a one hell of a story teller. Allah Se Hum Aapki Aur Sairajiki Aur Aapke Sare Kunbeki Sehat Aur Shohrat Ki Dua Mangte Hain.. Salaam Qubuul Farmaiyega.. Sattar Memon MD, Brown University, USA

Being a great fan of Dilip Kumar...I loved the book...I thought i knew everything about him, but I did not.....I was not aware of all his talents ..languages, his love of reading, his talent in perception of emotions, his humility and his great love for his family...I am a greater fan now that I have read the book. People say that it was greatly influenced by his wife...so be it...it is great...and people wanted to know more about his love life...but personally i am so glad that he is decent human being who did not kiss and tell. He came out as a thorough gentleman that he is and never really said anything negative about anybody except for his disappointment (and rightly so) by the Film Industry that did not support him when he was awarded by the government of Pakistan...he was not awarded because he is a Muslim but because he is the most talented actor in the whole world and the most secular who never did chose his friend because of their religion, but because of their talents and personalities...I specially like the credit given to him by Lata Mangeshkar for her success by suggesting that she get an Ustad to teach her the proper pronunciation of Urdu....Dilip Kumar is the great perfectionist and we will never see another person like this in our lives...a book worth reading and I am reading it for the second time....the strange thing is that he is older than my Mom...obviously much older than me but a hero for all ages....love the book...Do read

It is a very candid account of the life of a Legend whom one was bound to love for his natural portrayal of all the roles he had played in his films. It also sets at rest whatever "misgivings" one may have been led to entertain from unseemly press reports and news. It is so nice to see that all the people have wholeheartedly contributed their views on the man and Sairaji. That their views have come to be expressed in almost identical, even if exazerating looking, manner goes to show the genuineness of the 'naturalness' of the way Dilip Saheb has lived his life. What a life he has lived! Enviable, to say the least. If I had the choice, I would relive his life rather than attain Moksh. Significantly, this book is a wonderful window through which one can see how a truly cultured human life (a wonderful gift from God) can be lived. And to know that Sairaji is an Equally noble soul, not only from Dilip Saheb but also from all the contributors and in one voice, was equally inspiring and satisfying. Both the noble souls obviously deserved each other. The Almighty was bound to bless them.

It was great story of a great man who learned the art of story telling from Qissa khwani Bazaar. Which portrays in this book and his life.It is so nice to read the book as every line and every word is mesmerizing .In many cases while reading this unique Autobiography, it reminded me of my family life and many of peshawaries peoples life, as i was Born in the great and Historic city of Peshawar. As so many fathers were and still are called Aga G. As so many of peshawaries fathers, who wanted the success for their children in education,as most of them were hard working laborers.The stories were told by the " Great Son of Peshawar " "Lala Peshawarie, Dilip Kumar", which reminded me the regular life style of many peshawaries even till today. Hospitable,hard working,loving,jolly,great story tellers and joke tellers,life loving people of Peshawar.One great thing which i gathered from the book, being humble no matter how successful you are, which is so much like peshawarie culture and families traditions of upbringing of their kids.It is a great read.Sohail R.Q.KhanNew York

Highly fascinating revelations by Dilip Kumar of his experiences as an actor and a human being.Extra ordinary and intriguing autobiography.by Dilip Kumar.A great delightful reading from start to finish.He gives wonderful insightful descriptions of what goes behind Indian film industry.He is an honest, candid, respectful, responsible and caring person.He has quite deep insight into method acting, and very profound understanding of his colleagues, friends and relations feelings and behaviour..He is the greatest actor and a super humanitarian.I wish him the best of health and a very long life.

Like it. Very eloquently written and nostalgic. Interesting in composition and use of vocabulary. Right from the horses mouth. Highly recommended..

Dilip Kumar sahib recounted his life story to the journalist friend, who has merely reproduced his narrative ending in a great deal of repetition. The book could have been reduced to half its present size and would have been far more interesting and attention holding.Also, the title "Autobiography" is misleading if other friends' and family members' accounts are included!

Brilliant, straight from the horse's mouth. He discusses a lot of issues he has never spoken about in public, like a true gentleman! The childhood stories are particularly good, painting a very evocative picture of life in Peshawar as it was in the 1920s and 30s.

Bought for my dad who is a huge fan. He read it and lets others borrow because he likes it that much he wants to share! Big big must for any Dilip Kumar fan. Book condition perfect