57 years ago on 11th October, Bollywood’s iconic couple Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar tied the knot. To celebrate wedding anniversary, veteran actor shared her “real Cinderella story”.
In addition to being a memorable day for the couple, it’s also a time to express gratitude to all of the well-wishers and closest friends who have showered them with love and memories over the years.
Banu sent a long statement on Instagram along with a video of her priceless wedding day moments.
The note read, “Today, the 11th of October, is our wedding anniversary. I am writing specially to express my gratitude to the multitude of well-wishers and dearest friends who have thoughtfully always sent me remembrances of this magical day for both of us, Dilip Sahib and I…when time stood still for us with a million happy sparkling stars in the sky. I have resorted after ‘Two Years’ of his physical absence from all of us to write and tell all of you about his real-being, his anecdotes, his likes and dislikes, that I, as his wife of 57 years, would know. I want to express my happiness at the appreciation that all of you are extending to me in my efforts.”
She revealed how it was like to be married to Dilip Kumar. “People have often asked me…What was it like to be married to Dilip Kumar Sahib…the ‘SHAHENSHAH’ and I always told them, It felt “Like Sharing a Throne without having to slog for it! It’s a real Cinderella Story! It isn’t every day that a girl is lucky enough to be married to the man of her dreams. It would be too difficult to enlarge on this… my life with him. It would take pages and pages. In fact a book,” she wrote.
Narrating their life further, she added, “If he had an immense personality, he was also a great human being, he had also being so versatile in his knowledge of the world and everything under the sun that you never feel cramped with him. He has been a book you can never stop reading because you discover a new page to it every day. His interests, apart from films ran a wide range of subjects such as Urdu and Persian Poetry, Anthropology, International Affairs, Botany, Sports, etc…This is an aspect of him that has been so enthralling and this made him a vibrant, thrilling man.”
“Sahib has been that iconic guiding light not only for me, but for all those generations who have stepped forward in their lives, exemplified by his gracious presence and personality. Dilip Sahib is forever. May Allah always keep him in his love and abiding grace. Aameen!,” Banu continued.
As soon as she shared the video, couple’s fans and industry friends flooded the comment section. Designer Manish Malhotra dropped heart emojis.
One of the users wrote, “Happy anniversary to the beautiful Jodi of bollywood…muskurahat dekh kr maza agaya Yusuf sahab ki (Lovely to see him smile).” Another commented, “This is so beautiful @sairabanu ji. THE LOVE AND RESPECT in your eyes for him are so visible in this . Can imagine how it must have felt to have been married to the dream man of your life and the same love & happiness is seen in his eyes as well. .this is beyond beautiful.”
Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar have been the most iconic couple of all time with terrific on-screen and off-screen chemistry. Films featuring the duo such as Gopi and Bairaag, Sagina Mahato, and Duniya have always been a treat for the audience.
They have received love and blessings from admirers and supporters who have always viewed their 55 years of marriage as an example of an eternal love tale. Despite not having collaborated with him, Satyajit Ray had also referred to Dilip Kumar as “the ultimate method actor”.
Their union serves as an example of the enduring power of love and collaboration, encouraging us all to treasure the time we spend with our loved ones and to recognize the wonder that can be created in life when two souls unite in a union of love and fidelity.
The venerable actor departed for heaven on July 7, 2021. But we still carry his memories with us in our hearts. Thanks to his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
