It would have been late legendary superstar Dilip Kumar’s 99th birthday tomorrow i.e. on December 11, 2021. Born in Peshwar in 1922, Dilip Kumar entertained movie lovers for decades before his health issues moved him away from the cinematic world. The superstar passed away on July 7, 2021, after his prolonged illness, leaving his family, fans and colleagues teary-eyed. His wife Saira Banu on this emotional day penned a long heartfelt letter, published by ETimes, where she poured her heart out.
Her letter began by describing the journey of her late husband and actor, spilling the deets about his childhood and his family. Her letter read, “December 11, 1922. Peshawar, North West Frontier Province in pre-partition India. On the bitter cold night of December 11, while a raging fire fanned by the force of freezing winds was blazing in the Qissa Khwani bazaar in Peshawar, my Jaan, Yousuf Saheb, was born to Ayesha Begum, the beautiful wife of Mohammad Sarvar Khan, a leading fruit merchant of Peshawar, as their fourth child.This year on December 11, which is tomorrow, it will be his 99th birthday.”
She continued, “Indeed, millions of fans and I (his Fan No. 1) are going to celebrate the day quietly by ourselves knowing fully well that he is with us in our lives forever.The fact is that Dilip Saheb was very happy and proud that he was born in an undivided India and he grew up in a large, happy family which was united by the bonds of respect for elders, cared for the younger members and women and had unflinching trust in one another.”
Shedding light on how his family never believed in differentiation based on caste or religion, she wrote, “Saheb took pride also in the patriotism his father instilled in his sons and daughters and the freedom he and his eleven siblings were given to choose to mingle with people from all communities and social and economic backgrounds. Therefore, all through his illustrious life, Dilip Saheb was a class apart, completely at ease with people from all walks of life and all strata of society.” ALSO READ: Saira Banu Remembers Late Legend Dilip Kumar As He Gets Honoured At IFFI 2021; Actress Says 'He Motivated And Encouraged Me To Follow My Heart'
She added, “In his own eyes he was a simple man with a family and a challenging job... nothing more... and certainly not a celluloid God as superstars are sometimes given to believe.”
Speaking about her upbringing she wrote, “Fortunately for me, my mother too brought me up with my feet on the ground despite her success as an actress and the affluence and glamour that accompanies stardom.”
Recalling the time when she married the actor, she shared, “After my marriage to Saheb, I had no difficulty in getting accustomed to a life wherein unannounced visitors and guests were received even at odd hours and made to feel comfortable and welcome and were treated to scrumptious meals in true Pathan style.”
“All the special occasions in our life saw the house filled with people and flowers, lit up neither by candlelight nor electric light but by the presence of Saheb in the drawing room, foyer and garden giving attention to each guest, irrespective of professional and social status. Saheb had more friends outside the film industry and our community which surprised many who came to the open house we had on occasions like birthday, anniversary, Eid, Diwali, Christmas etc.” ALSO READ: Saira Banu Speaks For The First Time Since Dilip Kumar’s Demise, Shares A Note Ahead Of Their 56th Wedding Anniversary
Sharing what she admired the most about her husband was the way he took care of people and ensured they were comfortable. “What I admired most was that he would take extra care in ensuring a comfort level that few stars of his stature are capable of extending to the simple folks who are in awe of them and their larger-than-life screen images,” shared the senior actress.
She also recalled how he used to accompany her for festivals and birthday shopping, despite being a huge star, “He went festival and birthday shopping with me without the slightest hesitation and enjoyed a stop at small bhel puri stalls and ice cream cafes much to the consternation of the owners and managers of the joints. ‘When a common man gives me a warm handshake and tells me how much he enjoyed viewing my films, it is the highest award for me,’ he has confessed in his autobiography and I know that humility and grace are what sets him apart from the other legends and mega stars.” ALSO READ: Saira Banu Gives Consent To Deactivate Dilip Kumar's Twitter Account; Thanks Fans For All The 'Love And Support'
The senior actress speaking about their wedding anniversary after this death this year, wrote, “As I said on the occasion of our wedding anniversary two months ago, he is very much in our midst, gently holding my hand and expressing his feelings without words... by just the unmatched, inimitable eloquence of his eyes.”
On the end note, wishing him she mentioned, “Once again I know I’m not alone now and forever. Happy birthday, Jaan.”
Image Source: Twitter/ TheDilipKumar