The historic restoration of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s ancestral homes in Peshawar has officially begun, marking a major step in preserving the cultural legacy of two of Hindi cinema’s greatest icons. With a budget of ₹70 million, the project is being managed by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums and is expected to be completed in two years.
The homes, located in the Qissa Khwani Bazaar area, date back to the early 20th century and feature traditional colonial-era architecture. These structures are deeply connected to the early lives of the legendary actors, who went on to shape the golden era of Indian cinema with their memorable performances and landmark films.
According to Director of Archaeology Dr Abdus Samad, the renovation aims to restore the original structure and design of the homes. The goal is to preserve the province’s cultural and historical heritage while developing heritage tourism. He said this initiative will also generate new job opportunities for locals.
The houses were declared national heritage sites in 2014 by then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Now, with full funding released by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and support from the World Bank, the project is moving ahead with the goal of transforming both residences into museums dedicated to the actors’ lives and cinematic journeys. Advisor for Tourism Zahid Khan Shinwari expressed hope that the project would revolutionise the province’s tourism sector and attract global attention to its cultural landmarks.