There are disturbing reports about Saira Banu’s physical and psychological well-being after the death of her significant other Dilip Kumar. Dear companions say Saira has been removed into a shell and will not meet anybody.
Mumtaz who is in Mumbai dropped in at the renowned cottage in Pali Hill without an arrangement, stood by to meet the woman of the house, yet needed to return frustrated.
“It’s so sad. Sairaji seems to have gone into a shell after Yusuf Saab’s sad passing away. I made many attempts to contact her. When I couldn’t 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 delicious cookies and cakes for me.”
says Mumtaz who has worked with both Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, the previous in Ram Aur Shyam, the last option in Aadmi Aur Insaan.
Saira Banu and Mumtaz’s Aadmi Aur Insaan driving man Dharmendra is likewise stressed over the willful exile of Mrs. Dilip Kumar. “I made many attempts to reach her. She doesn’t answer calls. I was very close to Dilip Saab, and Saira. I don’t want to intrude on her privacy. I only hope she is in good health.”
For Saira Banu, since the time she wedded Dilip Kumar in 1966, there could have been no other life except that as his dedicated spouse.
In a meeting with me a few years prior Saira had said, “For me, it was always Saab, no one else. I was his fan from the time I can remember. While still a teenager, I wanted to be his wife. I am very headstrong and once I made up my mind, there was no stopping me. I knew many beautiful women wanted to marry Saab, but he chose me. It was my dream come true and that’s what my marriage has been, a perfect dream. Looking after Saab, his life, and his home comes naturally to me. Saab never asked me to give up my career. He encouraged me to continue after marriage. But, after a while, my heart was not in my career. I just wanted to take care of Saab.
Our marriage is the most important thing in my life. I do not miss having a child because Saab is like a child at heart. I am not a martyr when I say I don’t regret putting my career on the backburner. He could have married anyone, any woman he wanted. He chose me. I consider myself very fortunate. I always call him the Kohinoor of the film industry. I am lucky to be so close to him for so many years. I could not have chosen a better life. I cannot imagine any other life for me. I guess if I was chosen to be his wife, I must be special. Unki biwi hone ke liye caliber honi chahiye (to be his wife one needed to be of some caliber). But seriously, all Indian wives look after their husbands. In my family, I have seen women being devoted to their husbands. I grew up watching that.”
