On the occasion of ‘Rose Day’, the story of her loveliest relationship with Dilip Kumar is told by Saira Banu … In a special conversation with media, she told, ‘The youth of our country are celebrating Valentine’s Day and the entire week nowadays. This concept has come here just fifteen-twenty years ago, but since I grew up in London itself. We were already very familiar with this culture. At that time, I used to watch Valentine’s Day celebrations in London. Later, when Dilip Sahab came into my life, after marriage. We have never celebrated a special Valentine’s Day, but have celebrated each day as a celebration of love. Everyday life with Dilip Sahab seems like an Eid. Every day becomes special with him when he relates to his poetry and sometimes entertains with songs.
‘He always expressed love through roses’
Today, the lovers who are celebrating Rose day are expressing their love with red roses. Let me tell you one thing that this red rose has a very special place in our love. He used to give me red rose flowers to show his love. On the special occasions of my life, he used to give me gifts as the most special and big rose bouquet made for me. Although he is not materialistic, he used to express love through roses. My niece Shaheen always used to remind him that if today is the landmark day of Bua’s life, we will bring her favorite Red Rose. He knew that I loved Red Rose so much, he always gifted it to me.
I always wanted to become Mrs. Dilip
‘Everyone knows about me coming into his life. Also, Kaynat gifted Dilip Sahab to me. I wanted to become Mrs. Dilip Kumar from my school days. Ever since I was little and studying in London, I had an aim to become a Mrs. Dilip Kumar one day. My mother told me that in order to become Mrs. Dilip Kumar, you should develop hobbies in the same way as Dilip Sahab. So I used to learn poetry from my mother in London. When I came to Hindustan, I came to know that Dilip saheb is very fond of sitar, then I started learning sitar too. Since Dilip Sahab specializes in Urdu, I also started learning Urdu.
Built house Near Dilip’s House
When my mother thought about building my house after my career started, she chose the place where Dilip Saheb’s house is near. My house was built in front of his house. It was only two bungalows away from his bungalow. There is a saying ‘Ek ghar banauga tere ghar ke saamne‘. During that time I was shooting for ‘Pyaar Mohabbat‘. 23 August 1966 was the day when my anniversary also came and my mother also held a house warming party of that house. When I came home after shooting from Filmistan Studio, there was a gathering of my co-stars and directors at the party there. What I suddenly see is that Dilip Saheb himself has come. My mother had specially invited him and for this occasion he took a flight from Madras, wearing a suit-boot, came to my party with great handsome looks. It was the best gift of my life for me.
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