Actor Kumar treated for malaria

Dilip Kumar has starred in more than 60 films

Veteran Indian actor Dilip Kumar is receiving treatment for malaria at a private hospital in Mumbai.

The Lilavati Hospital said the actor had been admitted with a fever but was already showing signs of improvement.

The 86-year-old has been dubbed The Tragedy King for his roles in many Bollywood classics.

Although many of his films were commercially successful in India, Kumar passed over a lead role in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia.

The part of Sherif Ali went to Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, who was nominated for an Oscar for the 1962 epic.

"Doctors at the hospital have diagnosed that he has malaria and have begun treating him for this. Shri Dilip Kumar has begun showing signs of improvement," a hospital statement said.

"He will be in Lilavati Hospital for another two to three days."

As well as his acting credits, Kumar is also a member of India's upper house of parliament, with an interest in uniting the people of India and Pakistan.