Saira Banu pours her heart out as she pens a loving note for Dilip Kumar on his death anniversary: ‘I am still with him'
Dilip Kumar
, on his fourth death anniversary. On 7th July 2025, she shared a long, touching post on social media, showing just how deeply she still feels connected to him.
'Still with him in thought, mind, and life'
Marking the day, Saira Banu posted a lovely video full of old photos of Dilip Kumar from his younger days and famous films. Her words showed that even though he's no longer around, she still feels close to him.
She wrote, 'The dearth of Sahib could never go… And yet, I am still with him—one in thought, in mind, and in life. In this lifetime, and in the next, my soul has learned to walk beside him even in his absence.
Each year, this day finds me cradling Sahib's memories like delicate blossoms. His admirers, well-wishers, friends, and family—they never forget.'
She went on, 'Their messages of love and remembrance arrive like prayers, wrapped in warmth. And I read each one with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that the world still holds space for the man Sahib was and forever will be.'
'He was an entire era'
While most people remember Dilip Kumar for his powerful performances in classics like 'Devdas,' 'Mughal-E-Azam,' and 'Ram Aur Shyam,' for Saira Banu, he was much more than a film star.
She wrote, 'You see, Sahib wasn't just my life's greatest joy. He was an entire era. An inspiration across six generations of actors and the guiding star for those yet to come.'
She also shared how he was close to some of India's top leaders. 'He was the finest companion to great statesmen Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Sahab,
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Sahab, and Narasimha Rao Sahab and counted among his dearest friends some of the sharpest minds—lawyers, economists, and industrialists—but never once was he removed from the common man's soul.'
A sports lover at heart
Saira Banu also talked about how much Dilip Kumar loved playing sports and how he often wondered about a different life. 'He adored sports, played cricket and football like he'd been born on the field, and often said, 'If not destiny, I would have been a national-level sportsman.' But destiny had its own plans and gave the world the greatest actor of all time instead.' She reminded everyone that behind the superstar was a warm, witty man who found joy in simple things.
A playful note that says it all
One of the most touching parts of her tribute was when Saira shared a small, sweet memory. She remembered how Dilip Kumar would quietly leave little love notes that still make her smile. She wrote, 'Feeling sleepy, what do you suggest, Aunty? ... Yours 100%.'
It's these small, playful moments that keep his memory alive for her. She said, 'He made the ordinary moments eternal. And through every jest, every note, every glance, he left behind something rare: love that lingers.'
'Dilip Sahib is forever'
Saira Banu ended her heartfelt note by writing, 'Dilip Sahib is forever. Beyond time. Beyond life.' Even four years after his passing on 7th July 2021, Saira Banu's touching words show that true love never fades. Her tribute was full of tender memories, small joys, and a deep respect for the man who was not only her husband but also an icon for millions.
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Before he became Hindi cinema's 'Tragedy King', Dilip Kumar — born Yusuf Khan — found himself on the wrong side of the British Raj. In his autobiography, the Substance and the Shadow, the legendary actor revealed how he was once arrested and jailed for delivering a passionate pro-freedom speech during the colonial era. As a young man working in a British army canteen in Pune, he openly criticised the empire's policies and demanded independence for India. The speech was deemed seditious, and the British authorities arrested him, locking him up in Yerwada Jail, where many freedom fighters were already imprisoned. He was nicknamed 'Gandhiwala' Inside, he joined a hunger strike and was quickly dubbed a 'Gandhiwala' — a supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. Although his jail time lasted only one night, it left an indelible mark. He was released the next morning thanks to a familiar Major who intervened on his behalf. Dilip Kumar was born on 11 December 1922 in Peshawar (now in Pakistan). His family migrated to India and eventually settled in Mumbai. Acting wasn't on his radar — until fate intervened. A chance meeting with Devika Rani, head of Bombay Talkies, changed his life. She offered him a job at Rs 1,250 per month (a princely sum then) and suggested a new screen name: Dilip Kumar. For those of you who don't know, his film career began in the 1940s, and over the next five decades, he delivered iconic performances in films like Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur, Andaz, Ganga Jamuna, and more, forever redefining the emotional landscape of Indian cinema. The man behind the legend Dilip Kumar married actress Saira Banu, who was much younger than he was. Despite the age gap, their bond remained strong for decades. On 7 July 2021, he passed away at the age of 98 at Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital. His death wasn't just the end of an actor; it was the closing chapter of an era. Yet, his films, memories, and even untold stories, such as his night in jail, continue to live on.
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