On the late legendary Dilip Kumar’s 101st birth anniversary, veteran actress Saira Banu shared a heartfelt post. The emotional post is a compilation of clips from Dilip Kumar’s past birthdays that feature Bollywood A-listers including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, the late Rishi Kapoor and others.
Taking to her Instagram handle, Saira Banu shared a touching video along with old birthday cards. She penned a long note that reads, “Once more it is December the 11th, the day of days when the skies are blue with a smattering of dreams like puffy white clouds that seem to be dancing in the skies with happiness and exaltation. The whole house used to be flooded with so many flowers…that it seemed as though we had stepped into the ‘Garden Of Eden’. Now the Birthday greetings and cheer keep pouring in with messages of love and remembrance in a million ways, be it through offerings of beautiful Sketches, Cards, Paintings and umpteen messages of love and dedication that give me emotional goose pimples.”
Check it out here:
She added, “Being wed to the Shahenshah himself was akin to living a dream of my childhood; he proved to be the most wondrous husband one could ever entreat. I recall Sahib would often scribe short notes to me, and in response to his endearing gestures, I would reciprocate via notes. Now imagine waking up from a deep slumber and discovering a handwritten note that said, “Saira, I shall return in 45 minutes, Love Yousuf.” I wonder what an absolute delight it was to express love to your significant other in the times when mobile phones did not exist. I have lived and experienced an eternity full of love and warmth with Dilip Sahib while he was around, and to this day, the essence of his love surrounds me in the best way possible.”
She concluded, “On Sahib’s birthday, I would procure the most exquisite and carefully selected greeting cards to honour his special day. As a man as remarkably extraordinary as Dilip Sahib, he deserved nothing less. I always tried to be a devoted wife to him, and I found immense joy in his chivalrous nature, which unfailingly filled my life with happiness. Happy Birthday Yousuf Sahib!”
Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar tied the knot in October 1966. Banu often shares glimpses from their time together, keeping the late star’s memories alive.