11.12.13
Century’s
last sequential date also marks thespian Dilip Kumar’s ninety first birthday
today
Afsana Ahmed
His birthday every year is not just a
celebration for the family but also his fans spread across the globe. Back home--
happy and fine now-- after a three month stay in the hospital for a coronary
problem the veteran actor is set to celebrate his birthday…but in a low key
affair. As usual there’ll be stars from the film industry streaming in to wish
him. On this special day today, his lovely wife Saira Banu, talks about their
B’day plans, and what Dilip Kumar means to her.
This
year must have been little unsettled for the family due to his sudden
illness…So what have you planned for his birthday today?
This year is extra memorable because it has been
a year full of worry and tension-- with Sahab in the ICU. God has been kind and
we are all up and about so we decided to celebrate Sahab’s recovery and return
to good health. The concern and words of solace and love that poured in from
people who live miles away gave me the strength to tide over the anxious
moments in the hospital. So, we are celebrating Sahab’s birthday this year
quietly and with a prayer of gratitude. It’ll be a small get-together of Sahab and
my family, close friends and the doctors who rallied round us when he took ill.
Which
has been your most memorable birthday of Dilip Kumar?
For me every day and every moment with him is
special. My husband is a simple man who enjoys the simple pleasures of life. I
am so content just being with him, taking care of him, sharing his thoughts,
going out with him and witnessing the genuine respect and admiration people
from all walks of life have for him. He has always said to me and in some of
his public speeches that the warmth he gets to feel when a poor man on the road
walks up to him and clasps his hand with moist eyes and tells him how much he
has admired and loved the work he has seen in a certain movie is more valuable
to him than any award or recognition or honor.
Any
special birthday wish you have for him?
My wish for him is that the love and
adulation of people should last forever. My wish is to see him the way he
always has been—handsome, charming and radiant. My wish is that he should continue to be the emperor he is in
the motion picture industry
and have followers in every new generation of actors and film makers. My wish is that he continues to influence
those who look up to him not only with his ever fresh and contemporary style of
acting but also with his personal qualities and virtues – his humility, his
integrity, his generosity, his compassion for the poor and needy, his
unselfishness as a colleague at work and as a protective, loving brother to
five brothers and six sisters at home.
Is
there a special song that you would like to dedicate him today?
Tumhe aur kya doon main dil ke siwa, tum ko
hamari umar lag jaye……
He
has millions of fans across the globe.How do you get him connected with those
to try and reach out?
The letters start coming three months before the
day and I make sure that the letters are all answered and signed by him. On the
day itself we keep the gate open from morning as a practice. The stream of
visitors including some of his well wishers who have travelled from other
states and other countries never stops till late in the night. Two years ago we
had a party and it was wonderful to witness the love and sincere admiration his
contemporaries and younger colleagues demonstrated that evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment