Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who was popularly known as the Tragedy King Of Bollywood, passed away on Wednesday morning. The actor was 98 and is survived by his wife, veteran actor Saira Banu, who has always stood beside him through thick and thin. Saira has been Dilip’s biggest support system and was the only one to be at Dilip’s side in his last days. Saira Banu has been quite vocal about her unconditional love for the actor and often used to share interesting anecdotes about her and Dilip Kumar.
In an interview with ETimes, the actress recalled the time when Dilip had called her for the first time and also revealed the reason why she was miffed with him. The actress said she was annoyed with him as he did not give a nod to cast her in his film. Not just that, he even felt that she was not heroine material. Saira recalled when Dilip visited her house he complimented her saying, “You have grown up to be a beautiful girl". The next morning he telephoned.
“Saira, bol rahi hain?'. But I hadn't let go off the fact that he had not approved of working with me. I was still annoyed. So, I was a bit gruff with him. I replied, 'Aap mujhe kyun yaad kar rahe hain? Aapaji (he used to call my mom, Aapaji) ko phone doon?'. He said, 'Nahin, nahin. Mujhe aapka shukriya karna tha, it was a beautiful party and you were looking very beautiful'. Wahan se shuruaat hui hamare phone conversations ki,” Saira Banu revealed.
Saira Banu further revealed that after several meetings, the legendary actor had popped the big question to her.
“He started flying to Mumbai every evening after pack-up, he would have dinner with us and go back the next morning. This continued for 7 days. On the 4th day, he said that he's not the kind of person who would ask me directly for going out for a drive but would like to take permission for the same from my mother and grandmother. He took permission from both and we went to Cuffe Parade. We got down from the car and started talking. Soon, he popped up the question: 'Will you marry me?' (laughs). Just imagine!.”
Saira Banu concluded by saying that it was out of love and not duress that she looked after Dilip Saab. “I am not looking for praises to be called a devoted wife. Just to touch him and cuddle him is the world's best thing that's happening to me. I adore him and he is my breath itself,” she signs off.”
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