India is a poor country with a low per capita income, yet the film industry is perhaps bigger than Hollywood.
Perhaps the success of the film industry is dependent on its ability to sell dreams to the improvised masses.
The Indian film industry is dominated by Hindi cinema though Bengali and Tamil films do have their own niche.
The history of Bombay cinema really starts from the time of the British rule in India.
At that time the Hindi film industry took firm roots and when the English left India the Industry had become a major force in India.
The system of stars also took root and the Indian film world came closer to Hollywood.
After partition and the creation of the states of India and Pakistan the film industry also went through a trauma.
Some Moslem stars migrated to Pakistan but a good many remained back in Bombay (Now called Mumbai).
One of the stars who stayed back was Dilip Kumar.
In reality he was a Moslem from Peshawar from North West Pakistan who had come to Bombay to make a career in films.
Dilip Kumar's real name was Yusuf Khan.
But in the prevailing atmosphere of communal tension he thought it better to adopt a Hindu name.
Thus he endeared himself to the Indian public as Dilip Kumar.
This is a far cry from the present day superstars of Hindi cinema who flaunt their Moslem origins and name.
Dilp Kumar can rightly be called the first superstar of Hindi cinema.
He did a variety of roles starting with Andes with Nargis and continuing for at least 3 decades as an actor and star par excellence.
Dilip had a string of hits like Insanyat, Leader, Dil Diya dard liya and many more.
In all his roles he created an image that the public loved.
He also earned the title of the tragedy king for the pathos he brought to his roles.
Dilip was also a good comedian as can be seen from his role in Kohinoor.
But his forte was tragedy.
He also won the film fare award for the best actor a number of times.
This is the equivalent of the Oscar of Hollywood in India.
Dilip Kumar also gave stellar performances in films like Ganga Jumana, Ram aur Sham, Gopi and Bairag-where he played a triple role.
Dilip Kumar had a romantic liaison with a number of his female co stars, but ultimately married the actress Saira Banu.
He however slowly faded from the scene as the new breed of superstars like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh took over.
But for film buffs all over the world, he will be remembered for ever as the first super star of Hindi cinema.