Mumbai: On the death anniversary of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, his wife and veteran actress Saira Banu, as well as actor Dharmendra, shared a deeply moving note. Both the yesteryear stars of Bollywood posted separately on their individual social media handles.
Saira Banu honours Dilip Kumar’s legacy
Calling him the “guiding star for generations”, Saira described her late husband as more than just a legendary actor. She highlighted how he touched the lives of political greats like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Narasimha Rao, while also being deeply loved by the common man. On Monday, Saira Banu shared a heartfelt video featuring photos of Dilip Kumar from his iconic films and younger days.
For the caption, she wrote, “The dearth of Sahib could never go… and yet, I am still with him one in thought, in mind, in life. In this lifetime, and in the next, my soul has learnt to walk beside him even in his absence. Each year, this day finds me cradling Sahib’s memories like delicate blossoms. His admirers, well-wishers, friends and family they never forget.”
“He adored sports, played cricket and football like he’d been born on the field and often said, “If not destiny, I would have been a national-level sportsman.” But destiny had its own plans and gave the world the greatest actor of all time instead. Behind the icon, though, was a tender, charming, witty man.
Sharing glimpses of his playful and tender nature, Saira recalled one particular evening when Dilip Sahib quietly slipped away from a gathering at home, leaving behind a simple, affectionate note: “Feeling sleepy, what do you suggest, Aunty?… Yours 100%.” It’s in these everyday moments, she said, that his love, wit, and unforgettable presence live on.
Veteran actor Dharmendra’s emotional tribute
The ‘Sholay’ actor remembered the late star as not just an icon of Indian cinema but also a beloved brother. Taking to Instagram, Dharmendra shared a touching note expressing the deep void left behind by the late actor’s passing. He posted an unseen black-and-white photo featuring the two of them playing a game of arm wrestling.
Alongside the monochrome photo, the ‘Dharam Veer’ actor wrote, “Today is such a heartbreaking and unforgettable day… On this very day, my dearest brother, everyone’s beloved actor, the god of the film industry, a noble and great human being… Dilip Saheb… left us forever. This loss is unbearable, but I find some comfort in believing that he is still somewhere nearby.”
Dharmendra shared a close bond with Dilip Kumar and often referred to him as his inspiration and guiding light in the industry. They had shared screen space only once in their careers—in the 1966 film “Paari,” where Dilip made a special appearance. Apart from this, the two legends never collaborated on any other project.
Last year, in an Instagram post, Saira Banu shared fond anecdotes from some memorable meetings between Dharmendra and her late husband, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. In the post, she recalled Dharmendra’s second meeting with Dilip, revealing that the ‘Hathyar’ star had managed to secure an appointment with him through the help of his sister, Farida.
Banu also mentioned that following that meeting, Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra formed such a strong bond that Dharmendra was always welcome to walk into Dilip’s home without any formality. “Since then, Dharam Ji has always walked into Sahib’s house without ceremony or appointments. Be it midnight or day, Sahib always welcomed him. He became the beacon of light in Dharam Ji’s life when stardom and success came to him and he did not know how to handle them.”
Dilip Kumar, known as the ‘Tragedy King’ of Hindi cinema, passed away on July 7, 2021. His unparalleled legacy includes classic films like “Mughal-e-Azam,” “Devdas,” “Naya Daur,” and “Ganga Jamuna.”
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Photos: Saira Banu/Instagram & Dharmendra/Instagram
