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‘Dilip Kumar placed the right to equality above all else,’ recalls Saira Banu as she celebrates Republic Day

Sharing a clip from the Dilip Kumar's iconic 1964 film Leader, Saira Banu reflected on how Dilip Kumar cherished and upheld the principle of equality throughout his life and career.

Saira Banu remembered Dilip Kumar's values on Republic Day. (Pic: Saira/Instagram)

By: Entertainment Desk
Chennai | Updated: January 26, 2025 07:54 PM IST

3 min read

Veteran actor Saira Banu paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband and legendary actor Dilip Kumar on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day. Sharing a clip from the actor’s iconic 1964 film Leader, Saira reflected on how Dilip cherished and upheld the principle of equality throughout his life and career.

She expressed her thoughts in a moving note, writing, “I have always believed that a nation’s strength lies in its diversity, but it is balanced by only one thing: equality. This isn’t merely my belief, but one that my Sahib held close to his heart. He often said that in India, despite our vast differences in language, culture, and beliefs, the true essence of our nation lies in treating everyone as equals. This was the cornerstone of his life and work, and it is a principle I cherish deeply. Sahib was a firm believer in fulfilling one’s rights and duties, always placing the right to equality above all else. He believed that equality wasn’t just a constitutional promise, it was a moral duty we owe to one another as human beings.”

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The clip from Leader captures a poignant moment where Dilip Kumar’s character addresses an audience from a stage, speaking passionately about the challenges facing India. He highlights how the country is under threat from neighboring nations like China while Indians are caught up in internal conflicts fueled by religious differences. Reflecting on the scene, Saira Banu added, “With that quintessential conviction in his voice, Sahib said that equality forms the foundation of progress and that our collective power as a nation lies in standing together, uplifting one another, and treating each other with compassion and dignity. He also believed these small acts of kindness could bridge even the greatest divides and create a world of togetherness.”

The Padosan actor also extended warm Republic Day wishes to her fans, writing, “This Republic Day, let us honor the ideals that make our India so unique and incredible. May we always strive to uphold the values of equality, compassion, and unity that Sahib cherished so dearly. #HappyRepublicDay 🇮🇳.”