Vyjayanthimala, Dilip Kumar's eight-time co-star, devastated by his passing

Veteran actress Vyjayanthimala has said that the death of the legendary Dilip Kumar, with whom she acted in classics as Devdas (1955), Madhumati (1958) and Gunga Jumna (1961), has left her at an utter loss for words.

The 84-year-old former dancer and parliamentarian, who starred in eight films alongside Dilip Kumar, told the news agency Press Trust of India, "It's absolutely devastating and I have no words to say. Having worked with Dilip saab in several successful films, he and [his wife] Saira were almost like a family. Even after leaving films, every time I would go to Mumbai, Saira would always send me a car to come to their house and spend some time."

Dilip Kumar died at the age of 98 in Mumbai on 7 July 2021. The actor had been suffering from prolonged age-related illnesses.

Speaking to the website Pinkvilla, the veteran actress said, "We have worked very closely, and in quite a number of films — eight films, that is quite a lot to work with one hero, and for him also one heroine he worked maximum with. We combined well, our films became good hits, and we became a good team. That’s what Saira always says… she calls me 'Akka' which means sister in Tamil. She says, ‘Akka, you and Dilip Saab make the best team’. We made some quite successful hit films."

Dilip Kumar shot for his last film Qila while battling a bout of malaria

She added, "In Gunga Jumna, where I had to speak Bhojpuri — first of all, a South Indian speaking good Hindi without the accent was something, and on top of that to speak Bhojpuri, but he was a great help. He helped me a lot to speak and even recorded dialogues for me. It was a wonderful character to play and I was greatly helped by Dilip saab. I got an award also for that. He was very polite, gentlemanly, and very well behaved. He had no airs, and never threw his weight around."

The actor was cremated with state honours at the Juhu Qabrastan in Santa Cruz, Mumbai on 7 July. Some of the most prominent figures from the film industry and worlds of politics and sports offered their condolences at the passing of the veteran.