Saira Banu insists Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor should be honored with Bharat Ratna; says, “They are our anmol ratans and milestones of our film industry”

By Subhash K. Jha -

December 16, 2024 - 12:57 PM IST

The yesteryears’ beauty queen Saira Banu is insistent on not only Raj Kapoor getting the Bharat Ratna but also her husband the legendary Dilip Kumar. “Of course, Dilip Saab and Raj ji must be given the Bharat Ratna,” she said. “They are our anmol ratans and milestones of our film industry. As our beloved Lataji, who has received the Bharat Ratna, was incomparable so are Dilip Saab and Raj Saab... they are priceless.... Why were they not given the great honour of the Bharat Ratna during their lifetime? The film industry time and again pleaded for bestowing this great honour but in vain. Now I’ve left it to God.”

Saira Banu insists Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor should be honored with Bharat Ratna; says, “They are our anmol ratans and milestones of our film industry”

When this writer had spoken to Dilip Saab after Lata ji received the Bharat Ratna, he was genuinely delighted. “Meri chhoti bahen ko Bharat Ratna mila hai? She deserves it. Oh yes! No one deserves it more than her. Her contribution to the film industry is immeasurable. She doesn’t just sing songs. She expresses the entire ethos of humanity in her singing. There can never be another Lata Mangeshkar,” he had said.

When I expressed my disappointment at the Government bestowing no awards or honour to Dilip Saab, he brushed my disappointment away. “It doesn’t matter. If a person like you feel I deserve to be honoured, it is honour enough,” he had said.

The rumours of Raj Kapoor getting the Bharat Ratna have gained momentum ever since the entire Kapoor clan visited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. There is a strong rumour in the corridors of power that the original Showman Raj Kapoor is being seriously considered for the Bharat Ratna.

So far only Lata Mangeshkar from Hindi cinema has received India’s highest civilian honour. Other distinguished names have been considered and dropped.

Raj Kapoor could be the second Bharat Ratna winner from the Hindi film industry. And rightly so. He was still in his infancy as an actor when he turned into a filmmaker with Aag in 1948 and became famous as a filmmaker as well as an actor with Barsaat in 1959, which began his musical collaboration with Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar.

Raj Saab literally died with his boots on when in 1988 he fell ill while attending the function to award the Dadasaheb Phalke. In an unprecedented gesture, President Venkataraman came down from stage to bestow the Award on Raj Saab.

When the only true Showman of Indian cinema passed away, he was working on his dream project Henna, an Indo-Pak love story with his son Rishi Kapoor in the lead.

Also Read: Saira Banu shares emotional tribute to Dilip Kumar on his 102nd birth anniversary; says, “He walked into my life to stay forever”