As he turns 97, here’s a day in Dilip Kumar’s life
In a glorious cinematic career, Dilip Kumar has rightfully earned the epithet of Indian cinema’s ‘Kohinoor’. As he turns 97 today, his wife and actor Saira Banu says he has not been keeping very well, but what he enjoys is good music by the likes of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan.
“Every year, we do something special. A lot of people come to the house and bring flowers, garlands, etc. We light up the whole house, so that we feel a sense of celebration,” shares Banu, 75.
The ailing nonagenarian, known for prolific performances in films Naya Daur (1957), Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Shakti (1982) has been loved by all generations. “Our industry people are so caring and concerned. They have huge respect for him,” says Banu, sharing that leading stars keep in touch to know about his health.
At home, she says, there’s a “medical atmosphere” as his movements are restricted, and he goes out for an occasional drive. “There are three boys who are very devoted to him. Apart from that, we have nursing staff also, and I’m the main nurse over here (laughs),” says the loving wife.
Once a foodie who used to concoct recipes along with his mother-in-law, Kumar now consumes light food. “Doctors have advised to not force things on him at all.”
Music puts him in a relaxed mood. What’s a typical day in his life now? “All his life he has been a nightbird. He used to either read or write into the wee hours of the morning. And then when he got married to me, it became much better, so much so that he told me, ‘You’re my sleeping pill’ (laughs),” shares Banu,
Now, due to medication, he dozes off a little bit in the day, too. But Banu says it’s a problem to get him to sleep early at night. She adds, “He sleeps late, and after his breakfast, he takes his doses, freshens up and after that, he watches something on TV or listens to some nice music. It relaxes him.”
All his life he (Dilip Kumar) has been a nightbird. He used to either read or write into the wee hours of the morning. And then when he got married to me, it became much better, so much so that he told me, ‘You’re my sleeping pill’. SAIRA BANU, ACTOR