Saira Banu shares heartwarming anecdotes about late actor Vinod Khanna; see post

Saira Banu reminisces about late Vinod Khanna, shares heartwarming stories from their time together.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

October 6, 2023 - 1:40 PM IST

Veteran actress Saira Banu recently took to social media to share fond memories and anecdotes about the late actor Vinod Khanna on his birth anniversary. In her heartfelt post, she reminisced about their interactions on film sets and his chivalrous nature.

Saira Banu shares heartwarming anecdotes about late actor Vinod Khanna; see post

Saira Banu began her post by recalling Vinod Khanna's deep affection for her husband, late actor Dilip Kumar, and how thoughtful he was. She wrote, “Vinod loved Sahib incredibly. He was a very thoughtful man. Once, he and I were shooting at ‘Natraj Studios’ for Guru Dutt's film ‘AAROP’ directed by Atmaramji. On the very same day, Sahib was headed to the airport and I had requested him to stop by the Studio before his flight to Delhi. As Sahib arrived, Vinod, Johnny Walker Bhai, and I were rehearsing a scene. While Sahib walked in, Vinod disappeared somewhere. Soon after, Atmaramji sent assistants to look for him so that we could go ahead with the shot. Vinod took pretty long to come onto the set and Sahib had already left. As soon as Vinod appeared I asked him ‘Where were you for so long?’ Vinod laughed and said ‘Oh! Boy! Do you think I can act and perform while Dilipji, The Master Of Acting’ is watching? I would be shaking with nervousness! So I absconded!”

Saira Banu also added, “Vinod, at the peak of his career, had become a disciple of Osho and from 1975 onwards, he had taken a break from films to follow his Guru. At that time, I told him many times, ‘You are one of the brightest stars of today and everyone knows you will scale tremendous heights in your career. You are too promising. Please don’t go. Why are you intending to take this hiatus?’ The entire industry was crestfallen at this move. Vinod always ensured that we ladies on the sets had comfort levels while going home from the studio. One day, I sent my car back home for some important work, and unexpectedly director Atmaramji finished shooting much earlier than expected. He had a perky tiny Volkswagen and saw that my car had not arrived, he then looked at all the paraphernalia of needy things I carried with me and immediately offered his car to drive me home safely. I said, ‘Mera Itna Saaman Kahan Aayega, Tumahari Beautiful Choti Si Gaadi Main’. So he said I will wait until your car arrives. Such a chivalrous man he was!”

She concluded by saying, “I remember it was a joy to see him and his wife Geetanjali while we shot outdoors at Lonavala, all of us lived together and had fun times. Later on, when he married Kavita, his second wife, they always visited us on occasions, particularly on our ‘Silver Wedding Anniversary’ and mingled so wonderfully as one of our own family. We miss him!”

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A post shared by Saira Banu Khan (@sairabanu)

For the unversed, Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar tied the knot on October 11, 1966, and the couple were together for over five decades. Dilip Kumar passed away on July 7, 2021 due to old age ailments and prolonged illness.

Also Read: Saira Banu celebrates her engagement anniversary with Dilip Kumar; says it was a “Bolt from the blue for the entire world”