Saira Banu On 'Mughal-E-Azam': From Dreaming To Becoming Mrs. Dilip Kumar

Saira Banu recently shared a heartfelt memory on Instagram about the iconic film 'Mughal-E-Azam' and her admiration for her late husband, Dilip Kumar. Her post vividly describes a young girl with big dreams and an unwavering determination to win the heart of India's legendary actor.

Her dream moment didn't happen as planned. Dilip Kumar was absent from the premiere due to a rift with K. Asif, the film's director. Asif had secretly married Dilip Kumar's younger sister, Akhtar, causing tension between the two friends. Saira sat through the premiere, feeling disappointed and disheartened.

Saira Banu recalled persuading her mother to let her wear the heaviest, most glamorous sari she could find. Despite weighing very little herself, Saira braved the storm of swaying side-to-side, feeling every ounce of the heavy fabric. Her only goal was to look her best at the premiere of 'Mughal-E-Azam' on August 5, 1960, at Maratha Mandir, hoping for a chance to exchange a glance with Dilip Kumar.

In her own words, Saira shared:

"Next I persuaded my mother to get me out of my Western Blouses and Skirts and hand over the most heavy GOTA laden Sari that she possessed. The effect of the outfit on me was a scream because I was hardly weighing a minimal paper weight kilos and the Sari weighed a Ton But do you think I would give up? I draped it up with my Mother's help and very bravely withered the storm of swaying When I walked side-to-side with the heavy fabric. I had built castles in the air for years together and was well aware of all the bewitching beautiful ladies such as the mind-boggling beauteous Madhu Bala and many others but do you think that anything could deter me from my Dream of becoming Mrs. Dilip Kumar? Eventually the "Premiere" was on 5th AUGUST, 1960 at "MARATHA MANDIR" where the entire Film Industry had turned up and my eyes wildly searched one face to the other but Lo and Behold! There was no glimpse of Sahib. All my effort to look good and that moment when I would exchange a glance with him went to waste and I felt cascaded with cold water!"

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Years later, after marrying Dilip Kumar, Saira had the chance to bring him to the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. There, she was thrilled to learn that 'Mughal-E-Azam' was considered a drama lesson and was frequently screened for students. With great excitement, she requested a special screening of the film, giving Dilip Kumar the honour of watching 'Mughal-E-Azam' for the very first time.

"The strange thing is that Sahib had never seen "MUGHAL-E-AZAM" put together because of these averse events I suppose. Strangely later after our marriage we were invited to the Film and Television Institute Of Poona. It was a charming experience wherein the Students all gathered around Sahib and the Institute's Notables were honoured to receive Dilip Sahab and to keep and maintain his Films which were screened repeatedly to those who were studying at the Institute. I jumped with delight as soon as I got to know that they held "MUGHAL-E-AZAM" as a Lesson in Drama. I requested them to screen "MUGHAL-E-AZAM" and became instrumental in showing "MUGHAL-E-AZAM" to Sahib for the very FIRST TIME. What an Honour!"

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A Young Girl's Determination

Saira Banu's post beautifully captures young love, dreams, and cinema's magic world. Her story not only highlights 'Mughal-E-Azam's grandeur but also personal journey memories cherished by one of Bollywood's beloved couples.

Story first published: Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 16:18 [GST]

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