For the Record

This is what veteran actor Dileep Kumar’s awards shelf displays — a Padma Bhushan,a Dadasaheb Phalke award,an NTR Award,nine Filmfares… in fact,so many awards that he has entered the Guinness Book of Records.

Kumar’s wife and yesteryear’s actress Saira Banu confirms that the Guinness Book is felicitating him for winning the maximum number of film awards. “We received a letter from the Guinness office in London recently,informing us about the honour,” says Banu. The 88-year-old actor will be part of the new Guinness Book edition,to be issued in April. Though Kumar is not taking any phone calls,Banu says that she has begun celebrating— with sandesh from Kolkata.

Biting into the sweet,she says,“There are so many trophies and certificates that even I have not seen them all.” Will Kumar be a part of the proposed TV series on various Indians who have entered the record book? “We will make it clear to the Guinness team that Dileep saab cannot travel or be part of any TV show. He likes to keep a low profile and his health does not permit him to travel,” she says. Time to make way for the Guinness certificate on the award shelf.