‘Tragedy king’ Di lip Kumar turns 95: Everyone’ s invited, says Saira Banu
He is known as the tragedy king of Bollywood but veteran actor Dilip Kumar’s life has been a fulfilling, invigorating journey that not many get to experience. With an acting career spanning over six decades and many blockbuster films to his credit, Kumar is one of the finest actors of his era.
As Dilip Kumar turns 95, his wife, actor Saira Banu, speaking exclusively to HT, and says, “It is the love of millions of his fans that has blessed him with good health. I am overwhelmed to see it and to feel it.” After a prolonged illness, he was diagnosed with pneumonia last month. “Touchwood, he’s much better and on the road to recovery, but we have to be careful. We’ve been monitoring him at home and didn’t have to be away for the treatment,” says Banu.
Will there be a grand birthday celebration, like every year ? “I requested people not to fly in from all over the world — his fans, relatives, family friends — they all wanted to come in and wish him . It’s wonderful. But doctors have advised that Sahab can’t be surrounded [by people] when he is recovering.” But it doesn’t stop them from keeping alive the age old tradition on Kumar’s birthday. “It will be an open house. Those who love Sahab can meet him, but I have to be cautious that he doesn’t catch infection,” she says. Apart from visitors, it would be Kumar’s brothers, sisters and family friends, who would be a part of the quiet affair at home. “We will celebrate in a simple way. Being at home and cutting the cakes. Lots of cakes come in and the whole house is flooded with flowers,” says Banu. Banu recalls Kumar’s 89th birthday, when the entire film fraternity turned up for the celebration. She says it feels so good when younger actors visit him. “When Dilip Sahab had seniors, he did the same for them. When Ashok [Kumar] uncle was unwell, Sahab visited him despite being busy. When Naushadji, the great music director was ill, every evening Sahab would sit by his side, and sing songs to him. So, today, when youngsters such as Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and many others come to see Sahab, it is like all the wonderful things are coming back to us. It shows the kind of love and respect they have for him,” she says.