Across
the
history
of
Indian
Cinema,
there
remains
a
classic
love
story,
of
which
many
are
yet
unaware,
that
of
the
legendary
Dilip
Kumar
and
Saira
Banu.
Today,
as
we
mark
the
birth
anniversary
of
one
of
Bollywood's
greatest,
an
iconic
actor,
whose
contribution
to
Indian
cinema
remains
in
the
hearts
of
millions,
we
take
a
trip
down
memory
lane
through
the
eyes
of
his
wife,
Saira
Banu
Veteran
Bollywood
actress
Saira
Banu
shared
a
heartfelt
birthday
wish
for
her
late
husband,
the
legendary
Dilip
Kumar
in
an
emotional
note
that
delves
deep
into
the
timeless
love
story
of
the
iconic
couple.
In
her
Instagram
caption,
she
wrote
"Once
more
it
is
December
the
11,
the
day
of
Days
when
the
skies
are
blue
with
a
smattering
of
dreams
like
puffy
white
clouds
that
seem
to
be
dancing
in
the
skies
with
happiness
and
exaltation.
The
whole
house
used
to
be
flooded
with
so
many
flowers...that
it
seemed
as
though
we
had
stepped
into
the
'Garden
Of
Eden'."
Talking
about
the
love
and
affection
Dilip
Sahib
continues
to
receive,
she
added
"Now
the
Birthday
greetings
and
cheer
keep
pouring
in
with
messages
of
love
and
remembrance
in
a
million
ways,
be
it
through
offerings
of
beautiful
Sketches,
Cards,
Paintings
and
umpteen
messages
of
love
and
dedication
that
give
me
emotional
goose
pimples."
She
continued
saying
"All
this
for
"The
Ultimate
Actor" who
has
been
a
source
of
inspiration
for
generations
of
actors
who
have
been
inspired
to
touch
the
zenith
of
their
accomplishments
by
Dilip
Sahib
who
has
not
just
been
the
greatest
actor
ever
but
also
a
very
great
human
being."
Saira
Banu
also
spoke
about
her
marriage
to
Dilip
Kumar,
adding
"Being
wed
to
the
Shahenshah
himself
was
akin
to
living
a
dream
of
my
childhood;
he
proved
to
be
the
most
wondrous
husband
one
could
ever
entreat.
I
recall
Sahib
would
often
scribe
short
notes
to
me,
and
in
response
to
his
endearing
gestures,
I
would
reciprocate
via
notes.
Now
imagine
waking
up
from
a
deep
slumber
and
discovering
a
handwritten
note
that
said,
"Saira,
I
shall
return
in
45
minutes,
Love
Yousuf." I
wonder
what
an
absolute
delight
it
was
to
express
love
to
your
significant
other
in
the
times
when
mobile
phones
did
not
exist.
I
have
lived
and
experienced
an
eternity
full
of
love
and
warmth
with
Dilip
Sahib
while
he
was
around,
and
to
this
day,
the
essence
of
his
love
surrounds
me
in
the
best
way
possible."
Saira
Banu
also
gave
fans
an
insight
into
her
preparations
for
Dilip
Kumar's
birthday,
"Likewise,
on
Sahib's
birthday,
I
would
procure
the
most
exquisite
and
carefully
selected
greeting
cards
to
honour
his
special
day.
As
a
man
as
remarkably
extraordinary
as
Dilip
Sahib,
he
deserved
nothing
less.
I
always
tried
to
be
a
devoted
wife
to
him,
and
I
found
immense
joy
in
his
chivalrous
nature,
which
unfailingly
filled
my
life
with
happiness."
She
ended
her
note
with
another
wish
for
her
loving
husband,
saying
"Happy
Birthday
Yousuf
Sahib!"
The
eternal
love
story
of
Bollywood's
greatest,
Dilip
Kumar
and
Saira
Banu
is
most
certainly
one
for
the
ages,
and
as
we
celebrate
Dilip
Kumar's
birthday,
we
can
most
certainly
expect
more
of
these
tales
from
the
evergreen
Saira
Banu
as
she
continues
to
entertain
Bollywood
enthusiasts
with
tales
of
herself
and
the
legendary
Dilip
Kumar.