Legendary actor, late Dilip Kumar had debuted in Bollywood in 1944 with the film, Jwar Bhata, and the same year, his wife, Saira Banu was born. The gorgeousness was a fangirl of Dilip Kumar, who had grown up watching his movies and admiring him. After Saira had become an actress, she was craving to work with her childhood crush, Dilip. But the latter had refused to share screen space with Saira as she was too young to cast opposite him. However, fate had other plans for the duo. Their destiny had brought the two hearts together, and hence the 44-year-old Dilip Kumar had married 22-year-old Saira in 1966 despite the age difference of 22 years.
After a career spanning six decades, the 'tragedy king' of Bollywood had left for his heavenly abode on July 7, 2021, at the age of 98. The news of his demise had broken millions of fans' hearts, and the whole nation was mourning for him. But, for Saira, it was a moment of utter disbelief and shock. Now, her close friends like Mumtaz and Shatrughan Sinha revealed that the actress has gone into a shell, and despite trying several times, they could not get a glimpse of Saira.
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Veteran actress, Mumtaz shares a warm bond with her dear friend, Saira Banu. She had worked with both Saira and the late actor, Dilip Kumar in movies like Ram Aur Shyam and Aadmi Aur Insaan. In a recent chat with Bollywood Hungama, Mumtaz mentioned that she had even dropped by their Pali Hill bungalow, but could not meet Saira. Recalling her last meet with the actress, Mumtaz shared:
"It's so sad. Sairaji seems to be have gone into a shell after Yusuf Saab's sad passing away. I made many attempts to contact her. When I could not reach her, I dropped in at her home. But I couldn't meet her, I feel really sad. I remember the last time I met them both at their bungalow. Sairaji was so gracious. She had made really delicious cookies and cakes for me."
In the same conversation, showing his concern, Saira and her husband late Dilip Kumar's friend, Shatrughan Sinha mentioned that she was going through overwhelming grief. The nation had lost one of the greatest actors, whereas Saira had lost her life partner. As every friend would do, Shatrughan Sinha also extended his helping hand and said he and his wife, Poonam Sinha would always be there for Saira. In his words:
"After Dilip Saab, she has gone into a shell. We all lost the greatest actor. But she lost much more. I want her to know my wife and I are there for her if she needs us."
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Talking about how the evergreen couple had fallen for each other, no one else could explain the incident better than the man himself. In late Dilip Kumar's autobiography, Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow, he had beautifully presented the precious moment of his life. He had written:
"When I alighted from my car and entered the beautiful garden that leads to the house, I can still recall my eyes falling on Saira standing in the foyer of her new house looking breathtakingly beautiful in a brocade sari. I was taken aback because she was no longer the young girl I consciously avoided working with because I thought she would look too young to be my heroine. She had indeed grown to full womanhood and was in reality more beautiful than I thought she was. I simply stepped forward and shook her hand and, for us, time stood still."
What do you think about Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu's magical chemistry? Let us know!
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