Actor and film-maker Dilip Kumar will make a rare appearance in the UK in October as a guest of the National Film Theatre (NFT).

The actor who played everything from obsessed lovers, poor writers, timid peasants and criminals will take centre stage as the NFT launches a season of his golden oldies.

Kumar was the first recipient of India's Filmfare Award for Daag (1953) and went on to win on seven other occasions - the last time for Ramesh Sippy's Shakti in 1982 - 29 years later.

Now 81, Dilip Kumar is a living legend in Hindi cinema. This is a very rare visit for the actor and if he does turn up it will be special day for his UK fans.

Dilip was born Yusuf Khan in Peshawar (now Pakistan) in 1922, and was given his stage name by Hindi novelist Baghwati Chari Varma. His first taste of what has come to be known as Bollywood film was musical drama Jugnu (1947) in which he starred opposite Pakistani diva Noorjehan, first in a string of great leading ladies.

The succeeding years of his career saw him in a string of tragic roles.