It’s been great since Dilip sahab proposed: Saira Banu

The veteran actor talks about her blissful married life with the legendary Dilip Kumar.

MUMBAI:

Onetime screen diva Saira Banu relishes the time she spent with her husband, the legendary Dilip Kumar, and considered spending time with him more important than anything else.

There is almost a generational 22-year age gap between Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar but the Indian filmdom’s highly regarded couple has enjoyed a blissful married life since tying the knot in 1966.

In a rare look back into her life, Saira Banu said in an informal chat with IANS: “I have no regrets of not doing too many films post my marriage. Whatsoever, the greatest thing was to be together with Dilip sahab. From the day Dilip sahab proposed to me, it has been great.”

She was just 17 when she made her debut with the super hit film Junglee and after that she dazzled on the silver screen with Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Saaz Aur Awaaz and Pyar Mohabbat.

But Saira Banu happily gave up the arc lights and grease paint to revel in her role as a wife and a homemaker.

“I worked for three-and-a-half to four years in showbiz and then I got married to Dilip sahab. I decided not to work after marriage as I thought it would not work out as Dilip sahab was a constant traveller. I wanted to be at home and spend some good time with him,” said the actor who recently turned 68.

Her career was on the rise and Dilip Kumar wanted her to take it forward.

“Dilip sahab never stopped me from working. In fact, when Dilip sahab saw the rushes of Shagird before its release, he was so impressed and said that it’s a pity that I’ve stopped working. I did some selective films after my marriage but it’s been a wonderful journey.”

Happy playing a perfect homemaker, Saira Banu plans to release Dilip Kumar’s autobiography this year on his birthday, December 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2012.