Behind the towering legacy of Dilip Kumar, often known as the Tragedy King, lies the remarkable story of his wife, Saira Banu—an accomplished actress in her own right. While she may be remembered as Dilip Kumar’s devoted partner, it’s essential to recognise that Saira Banu was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hindi cinema during her time. Her career spanned from the early 1960s until she made a surprising decision to leave the film industry in 1988. Not only was she known for her acting, but she was also a talented dancer, mastering her craft without any formal training before debuting with the 1961 film Junglee alongside Shammi Kapoor.
Born to Naseem Banu, a celebrated actress known for her beauty, Saira Banu was destined to be in the limelight. Naseem was the daughter of classical singer and courtesan Chamiyan Bai. Despite her grandmother’s objections, who preferred a career in medicine for her daughter, Naseem’s determination led her to the silver screen, debuting in Sohrab Modi’s Hamlet. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Saira embarked on a similar path.
In an attempt to keep her away from the film industry’s allure, Saira’s mother sent her to the UK for her education. Recalling those days in an interview with ATN Canada, Saira shared, “It was a very decided effort. She (Naseem Banu) took me to London for schooling when I was 6. She had her reasons; she wanted me to have some other kind of career as I was academically good.” Naseem Banu dreamed of seeing Saira as a lawyer or a doctor, but the call of the cinema was too strong for Saira to ignore.
During one of her summer vacations, Saira Banu visited the sets of Mughal-e-Azam, where she saw Dilip Kumar in all his grandeur. That moment left a lasting impression on the young Saira, who was just 14. Her charm didn’t go unnoticed, and soon, offers began pouring in, including the one for Junglee. “After matriculation, when I arrived in India, I received as many as seven offers,” Saira revealed on the show Ek Mulaquat. Despite her mother’s initial resistance, Saira took up the role, marking her debut in Bollywood and fulfilling her dream.
However, her journey wasn’t without its sacrifices. After a successful career, Saira decided to leave the film industry to focus on her family. She recalled, “All these years, I worked so much and was so busy, but suddenly I realised that I am not getting enough time to spend with my dear ones and I decided to quit films.” Her final film was Faisla in 1988.
Interestingly, Dilip Kumar was reluctant to work with Saira in films. He confessed, “Some of Saira’s family members didn’t want her to be in films, and I thought I would be displeasing her family members. They had sent messages to me to persuade her to drop all this.” Despite this, Saira Banu’s contributions to Indian cinema remain unforgettable, and her legacy as a talented actress and a loving wife endures.
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