As the entertainment world commemorates the birth anniversary of the iconic Bollywood actor Pran, Saira Banu, the veteran actress and widow of the late Dilip Kumar, took to social media to pay homage to the legendary artist. On this solemn occasion, Banu shared a touching tribute on her Instagram, posting a heartfelt collection of images featuring the two stalwarts of Indian cinema, Pran and her husband, Dilip Kumar.
While extending her heartfelt birthday wishes, Banu reminisced about the deep and enduring relationship between Pran Sahab and her late husband, affectionately known as Dilip Sahib. The duo’s friendship was one that flourished both on and off the screen, transcending the competitive nature of their industry.
“Dilip Sahib always spoke very highly of Pran Sahab,” Banu wrote as she recalled the ease and joy experienced during the shooting of “Ram Aur Shyam,” a film that was wrapped ahead of schedule, partly due to the chemistry and camaraderie between the two actors. Despite living in the same neighborhood of Bandra, their bonds weren’t restricted to professional interactions. Their families shared warm moments of informal gatherings, deepening their friendship and showcasing the sincerity of their relationship.
Banu’s tribute illustrated the intriguing dynamic the actors shared, especially when portraying adversaries on screen. Their chemistry was palpable, evoking both amusement and admiration from onlookers who witnessed the transformation of warmth into convincing conflict for the camera. She reiterated Dilip Kumar’s own words, which described the powerful scenes from “Ram Aur Shyam,” specifically the intense sequence where Pran’s character inflicts a merciless whipping upon Dilip Kumar’s Ram, and later, the role-reversed retribution which captivated audiences.
Contrasting their intense on-screen duels, Saira Banu painted a picture of serenity and camaraderie on the sets of “Madhumati,” directed by Bimal Roy. Amidst the forest locale where Bengali was predominantly spoken, Pran and Dilip Kumar found solace in conversing in Punjabi and spent their evenings indulging in the recitation of exquisite poetry by the bonfire. These treasured memories extended to the sets in Madras, where the duo shot for “Ram Aur Shyam” and “Aadmi.” A humorous anecdote from the period captures the spirit of their friendship, with people joking about Pran’s persistence in following Kumar from one film set to another, a jest embraced by both actors with mutual respect and fondness.
Saira Banu’s poignant recollections serve as a testament to the golden era of Bollywood, where relationships forged surpassed the boundaries of the silver screen. As she brought her message to a close, she teased her followers, promising to unveil more anecdotes about the remarkable ‘twosome,’ leaving fans in eager anticipation of more insights into the cherished bond between Pran Sahab and Dilip Sahib.
On his birth anniversary, Pran’s legacy as a fearsome antagonist and a skillful actor par excellence is celebrated, but perhaps more so is the legacy of his friendship with Dilip Kumar. Their story is a beacon of genuine bond and professional respect that remains rare and inspiring. As the luminaries of the past are remembered, their exemplary humanity and artistic integrity continue to light the path for generations of actors to come.
