The love story of Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu is surely one of its kind, no less than a blockbuster Bollywood film with all the right ingredients. Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu had been together for 54 years, until the legendary actor died on Wednesday (July 7).
Here’s how their love story developed over the decades:
12-YEAR-OLD SAIRA BANU FELL FOR 34-YEAR-OLD DILIP KUMAR
Bairaag actress was just 12 when she fell in love with the 34-year-old Aan actor, who was already a big star at that time. In 1960, during the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam, a 16-year-old Saira was expecting to meet her crush for the first time. However, the actor didn’t turn up for the premiere which left her shattered.
WHEN SAIRA AND DILIP MET FOR THE FIRST TIME
The dynamic duo met for the first time a few years later, Saira said in an interview that, “When he smiled at me and remarked that I was a pretty girl, I could feel my whole self-being taking wings and flying rapturously. I knew somewhere deep within me that I was going to be his wife.”
DILIP KUMAR AND SAIRA BANU: THE UNION
Saira’s mother, Naseem Banu, played cupid in their love story and encouraged Kumar to propose to her daughter. The two got married in the year 1966.
TOGETHER TILL THE LAST BREATH
Saira remained a doting wife till Dilip’s concluding moments. She was spotted with the legendary actor on several hospital visits and made sure that the best medical care is provided to him as he was battling prostate cancer.
The couple tied the knot in 1966 and spent almost 54 years of their lives together. They worked together in several films including the blockbuster Gopi (1970).
