Dilip Kumar’s biography out early 2014: Saira Banu

Biography could not be released on 11.12.13 due to thespian’s frail health.

MUMBAI:

Bollywood thespian Dilip Kumar’s biography, which was earlier scheduled to be released on his 91st birthday, will now come out early next year, said his wife and yesteryear’s actor Saira Banu.

The biography, written by author Uday Tara Nayar, a close family friend of Kumar, is ready and is likely to be released in January or the beginning of February in the new year. Dilip Kumar turned 91 Wednesday.

Saira said they planned to release the book on 11.12.13, a special date, but could not do so because of the legend’s weak health. “We were actually planning to launch Dilip Sahib’s biography on Wednesday and everybody said that it is a very special date, but unfortunately, we could not as he fell ill,” Saira told reporters.

The two-part book focuses on the actor’s nine-decade long journey, his love story with Saira Banu, some untold stories, as well as rare pictures of the thespian and his family members. In the past, three books on Dilip Kumar by Vinita Lamba, Sanjit Nawrekar and Lord Meghnad Desai have been published.

Dilip Kumar had a quiet celebration on his 91st birthday with close friends, family and his team of doctors. Saira said they chose to have a small, intimate celebration because of Dilip’s health. However, she has plans for a grand party including the film fraternity for the launch of thespian’s biography.

“We have celebrated this birthday quietly with close friends, family and a team of doctors because we don’t want to put much strain on him,” Saira, who has worked with Dilip Kumar in films like Gopi and Sagina, said.

One of the best performers on the Indian silver screen, Dilip Kumar in his six decade long career worked in much appreciated films like Jwar Bhata, Mela, Naya Daur, Devdas, Madhumati and Mughal-E-Azam.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2013.

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