The Ancestral Abode of Subcontinent Cinema Legends

Fakhar-e-Alam

Peshawar:  Peshawar, a city with a documented history spanning approximately 2,400 years, is renowned as the birthplace of both local and international film stars who have left an indelible mark on the subcontinent’s cinema industry through their exceptional performances. 

Often referred to as the “City of Artists,” Peshawar is the ancestral home of cinema and TV icons such as Yousaf Khan, better known as Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor. These legends dominated the subcontinent’s film industry for decades, with their names often synonymous with box office success.

The ancestral homes of these Bollywood luminaries still stand near the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar, where they spent significant portions of their early lives before their families migrated to British India in search of better opportunities. 

Raj Kapoor’s father, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, was the first self-confessed Hindu Pathan from Peshawar who moved to Mumbai in 1930. He went on to achieve great success in South Asia’s film industry, both as an actor, director, and producer, thereby establishing Bollywood’s first dynasty, which spanned four generations.

Similarly, Shah Rukh Khan’s father, Taj Muhammad Khan, was also born and raised in Qissa Khwani. Shah Rukh Khan, who spent time with his family in Peshawar during his teenage years, eventually became a superstar of Indian cinema.

 Located just a 10-minute walk from Kapoor’s Haveli and Shah Rukh Khan’s family residence is the four-marla house of another Bollywood legend, Dilip Kumar, who ruled Indian cinema for nearly six decades with over 65 successful films to his credit.

Dilip Kumar, born Yousaf Khan at the residence of Lala Ghulam Sarwar Khan in Mohallah Khudadad near Qissa Khwani on December 11, 1922, spent his childhood and adolescence in Peshawar. He lived there for 13 years before migrating to Mumbai in 1935, where his father established a fresh fruit business.

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According to Faud Ishaq, President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and nephew of Dilip Kumar, “Dilip uncle was a born star. Even as a child in Peshawar, his communication and leadership skills left a lasting impression on relatives, friends, and neighbors.”

Dilip Kumar’s love for the performing arts was evident from a young age, and he often visited cinemas in Peshawar before seizing the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a film actor in Mumbai. There, he was given the stage name Dilip Kumar and quickly rose to prominence in the competitive Bollywood industry, where he became known as the “King of Romance and Tragedy.”

Dilip Kumar’s dynamic acting skills were showcased in popular movies such as Naya Daur (1957), Ganga Jamuna (1961), Devdas (1955), Kohinoor (1960), Leader (1964), Babul (1950), Andaz (1949), Paigham (1959), Footpath (1953), Mashaal (1984), and Karma (1986). His influence on Indian cinema was so profound that film and TV actor Javed Babar, a recipient of the Pride of Performance award, remarked, “The history of subcontinent cinema is incomplete without Dilip Kumar.”

In his autobiography Dilip Kumar – The Substance And The Shadow, he fondly recounted, “We were living in undivided India at the time, and there was a sizeable Hindu population. Men and women mingled freely with Muslims in the market square, exchanging pleasantries ever so cheerfully.”

Faud Ishaq further highlighted that Dilip Kumar was perhaps the only actor to receive the highest civil awards from both Pakistan and India, including Pakistan’s Civil Award “Nishan-e-Imtiaz,” for his role in bringing the people of both countries closer. “Peshawar and Dilip Kumar are inseparable,” Ishaq said, adding that the actor’s special love for Peshawar was evident in his desire to use his ancestral house for the welfare of the city’s residents.

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Recalling Dilip Kumar’s visits to Peshawar in 1988 and 1998, Ishaq said, “I can still remember how thousands of fans gathered at Qissa Khwani to catch a glimpse of the Mughal-e-Azam hero.” Despite the overwhelming crowd, Kumar’s connection to Peshawar remained strong, as demonstrated by his visits to the historic Bala Hissar Fort and his fondness for traditional Peshawari dishes like Chapli Kebab, Paya, and Bakarkhani bread.

He also took pride in wearing traditional Peshawari attire, including the Bhoski Qamees with white Shalwar, Teli Chappal, and Karakuli cap (Jinnah Cap).

In 2020, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government took possession of Dilip Kumar’s four-marla house and Raj Kapoor’s six-marla Haveli, with plans to convert them into museums to pay tribute to Peshawar’s great sons. Both houses were declared Protected Monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1997.

Peshawar also holds a special place in the history of another Bollywood legend, Prithviraj Kapoor, who is considered a pioneer of Indian film and theatre. His family has continued to entertain global audiences through cinema to this day. Shah Rukh Khan’s paternal family also hails from Peshawar, and their house was located close to Dilip Kumar’s residence in Qissa Khwani. SRK visited Peshawar several times during his teenage years to meet his family, including his cousin Noor Jehan.

Another legendary Indian film superstar, the late Vinod Khanna, also had roots in Peshawar. Born on October 6, 1946, in Sardar area, Cantonment, Peshawar, Vinod Khanna was the son of Mehr Chand Khanna, a prominent businessman and former minister in the Congress party. Although Vinod Khanna migrated to India as an infant in 1947, his love for his birthplace remained strong.

Peshawar is also proud to have produced film and TV legend Muhammad Qavi Khan, who ruled Pakistan’s silver screen after his famous drama Andhera Ujala was telecast by PTV. Other stars such as Firdous Jamal, Najeebullah Anjum, and Ghazal maestro Khayal Muhammad were also born in Peshawar. Their inclusion in dramas and films was a prime choice for producers aiming for box office success.