Not many know that Bollywood veteran Dilip Kumar’s roots trace back to Peshawar. The actor’s ancestral home was announced as protected heritage by the Directorate of Archaeology and Tourism in 2013 and later a protected monument, under the Antiquity Act 1997. His house is located in Mohalla Khudadad, near the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, close to late Indian cinema legend Raj Kapoor’s residence. The Kapoor Haveli in Mohallah Dhaki Munawar Shah, inside the walled city, was also said to be converted into a museum by end of the year 2012, reported The Express Tribune. However, despite the status given to them, there had been no efforts towards the restoration and preservation of both actors’ homes until the government passed an order to transform them into museums.
Thank you for sharing this. Requesting all in #Peshawar to share photos of my ancestral house (if you’ve clicked the pic) and tag #DilipKumar https://t.co/bB4Xp4IrUB
— Dilip Kumar (@TheDilipKumar) September 30, 2020
The government has directed the archeological department to preserve historic houses under the restoration project. Both houses will be open to the public after restoration. Kumar and his wife, Saira Banu, lauded the decision. After a Twitter user posted pictures of the current state of Kumar’s house, the actor urged his fans in Peshawar to share more pictures with him. “Thank you for sharing this,” he said. “Requesting all in #Peshawar to share photos of my ancestral house (if you’ve clicked the pic), tag #DilipKumar.”
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Banu also reacted to the restoration earlier. While speaking to ETimes, she said “I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. Mashallah.”
She added, “My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity.” Banu mentioned, “It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province.” The couple paid a visit to the property some years ago. Talking about the same, she concluded, “The house is of great sentimental value to my husband and I have shared his pride and happiness during a visit to the property some years ago. He was so emotional when he saw the house where he spent his lovely childhood in the comfort and security of a large, refined family.”