When Dilip Kumar would gift ‘hand-scribbled greeting cards and short notes’ to Saira Banu on Valentine’s Day: ‘I couldn’t resist the opportunity…’

On the occasion of Valentine's Day, veteran actor Saira Banu shared a glimpse of handwritten letters that Dilip Kumar had penned for her.

Saira Banu recalled how she would receive handwritten notes from Dilip Kumar on Valentine's Day. (Pic: Saira/Instagram)

Veteran actor Saira Banu’s Instagram page has become a treasure trove for fans of both herself and her late husband, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. Saira frequently shares unseen pictures and anecdotes from her life with the iconic actor. On Valentine’s Day, she took the opportunity to showcase handwritten letters that Dilip had penned for her.

She began her post by emphasizing the significance of Valentine’s Day in her relationship with the Devdas actor. She wrote, “This magical Valentine’s Day fills me with wondrous remembrances of the times when the sky was adorned with a million happy, sparkling stars, marking the beginning and continuation of a life of ecstatic togetherness spanning ’56’ years. Valentine’s Day holds utmost importance for both Dilip Sahib and me. Sahib would often gift me hand-scribbled greeting cards and short notes. I still ponder that while he was the tragedy king and the epitome of romance on the big screen, he also understood the essence of love dearly and profoundly, bringing it to life for real with me at each step of our lives.”

Saira Banu reflected on the difference between expressing love in the digital age versus their era when communication was through handwritten notes. “In today’s world, where expressions of love often come disguised as cell phone messages and lengthy texts, I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced a love that found its most genuine expression. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that no matter what, Dilip Sahib and I will continue to walk hand in hand by the grace of God, united in our thoughts and being until the end of time. He is always with me at every step of my life,” she wrote.

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The Padosan actor also reminisced about a sweet moment she shared with the late actor. She recounted, “Reflecting on the love we shared, I think about the time and place where I recall how I couldn’t resist the opportunity to plant a peck on his cheek. There was one particular moment when Dilip Sahib whistled, and immediately after, I placed my lips on his right cheek. In that moment, I truly wished I could have captured the sound of his whistle to replay it whenever possible, to feel his closeness. Dilip Sahib has been an iconic guiding light not only for me but for all those generations who have been inspired by his gracious presence and romantic personality. Dilip Sahib endures forever… May God always keep him in His love and blessings. “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY. #happyvalentinesday.”

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Saira Banu has been sharing snippets of Dilip Kumar’s iconic life. In her last Instagram post, she discussed his close bond with veteran actor Pran and shared an interesting anecdote about their friendship. She recounted how Pran took a flight from Srinagar to Delhi despite a storm just to attend Saira and Dilip’s wedding.

Also read | Saira Banu says she was jealous of Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala’s chemistry: ‘I took a pair of scissors and started…’

Saira Banu continues to honour Dilip Kumar’s memory through her Instagram page, keeping his legacy alive for his fans.

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