Saira Banu recalled about Dilip Kumar’s friendship with Raj Kapoor on his 99th birth anniversary.
Saira Banu talked about Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s friendship on the occasion of the former’s birthday.
Filmmaker Raj Kapoor was one of the superstars who made Indian cinema recognised in the global media. The actor is also known as the first showman of Bollywood. His performance in the film Awaara was ranked as one of the top ten greatest performances of all time in the world cinema by Time Magazine in 2005. Beyond his acting prowess, Kapoor directed and produced numerous movies, contributing significantly to the global recognition of Indian cinema. On the legendary actor’s 99th birth anniversary, Saira Banu recalled the bond between Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor with a note.
Taking to her Instagram handle on Thursday, Saira Banu shared a video and a bunch of pictures from Dilip Kumar’s wedding day. It showed him dressed in the groom’s attire along with Raj Kapoor sitting next to him. The carasouel also consisted of nostalgic pictures and snippets of the two actors together. She wrote, “Describing the bond between Dilip Sahib and Raj Ji as mere friendship would be an understatement; they shared a love akin to that of siblings. They sought solace in each other’s company, exchanging secrets that remained unknown even to their own family members. Raj Ji and Sahib were there for each other until the very end.”
Sharing further, Saira Banu penned, “Not many people know this but back in the day when Dilip Sahib was still a bachelor Raj Ji would often edge him on to get married, he would say, ‘Shaadi kyun nahin karta (why don’t you get married)’ and later on laughingly add, ‘Jis din tu shaadi karega, ghutne ke bal chal ke aaunga tere paas (the day you get married, I’ll come to you on bended knees)’, and goodness like a great friend he stood up to his words the day Dilip Sahib and I got married. I still remember how he reminded Sahib of this incident saying, ‘Didn’t I tell you that I would kneel down the very day you get married I am doing it for you, Thank You for getting married’.”
Recalling the day when Raj Kapoor suffered cardiac arrest, Saira Banu said, “When Raj Ji had a cardiac arrest, Sahib had flown abroad for a felicitation, he immediately flew back to Delhi and rushed to Apollo Hospital to see Raj Ji, he went near him and said, ‘Raj, wake up! I brought the khushboo (fragrance) of Chapli Kebabs (a snack). Let’s stroll through the bazaar as we used to, relishing kebabs and rotis. Stop acting; take me to the courtyard in Peshawar’. Choking with emotion, tears streamed as he spoke to his unconscious friend. They were indeed the best of friends until the very end. Remembering Raj Ji on his Birth Anniversary with a lot of love and affection. #HappyBirthdayRajKapoor #rajkapoor.”
Born on December 14, 1924, Raj Kapoor’s impact on Hindi Cinema transcends generations. His legacy as the greatest showman is attributed to his unique ability to seamlessly merge entertainment with profound storytelling. Kapoor was a trailblazer in exploring a variety of genres, spanning romance, drama, and social issues, and his films often carried impactful social messages. He used the cinematic medium to convey powerful messages on topics ranging from poverty, inequality, and societal norms.
The veteran actor’s magnetic on-screen presence and innovative filmmaking techniques have left an enduring imprint on the landscape of Indian cinema.
