The reconstruction and renovation work on the ancestral homes of legendary Indian actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor officially began in Pakistan's Peshawar city this month, according to officials. The project is set to be completed in two years at an estimated cost of ₹70 million, said Director of Archaeology Dr Abdus Samad.
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(Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government released the funds for the project, which includes structural and aesthetic restoration of the historical residences. The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has been tasked with overseeing the work, which aims to restore the buildings to their original condition.
The provincial Archaeology Department has planned to convert both structures into museums dedicated to the lives and careers of the legendary actors. The houses were declared national heritage sites on July 13, 2014, by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
According to Dr Samad, the project's primary goal is to safeguard the province’s historical and cultural heritage while promoting heritage tourism. This initiative will boost local tourism and create new employment opportunities, he said.
Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes are located in Peshawar, Pakistan, in the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar. These iconic structures, built in the early 20th century, reflect traditional colonial-era architecture and are deeply tied to the early lives of the legendary Bollywood actors.
