Veteran actress Saira Banu paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Raj Kapoor on his 100th birth anniversary, sharing a touching video on Instagram that highlighted his cherished bond with her late husband, Dilip Kumar. The video captured endearing moments of the two stalwarts of Indian cinema, laughing, playing cricket, and enjoying each other’s company.
In an emotional caption, Saira Banu revisited the deep friendship between the two icons, dispelling long-held notions of professional rivalry. She wrote, “Raj Kapoor, the showman, the dreamer, the eternal storyteller, was once a boy roaming through the busy yet peaceful lanes of
Peshawar
. And I would say that it was no coincidence that two of the greatest legends, Sahib and Raj Ji, both hailed from Peshawar. Many people in the industry and the admirers of their work thought them to be professional rivals, but what they did not know was that they were childhood friends hailing from the soil of Peshawar. Together, they shared more than just a city; they shared a friendship so profound it transcended decades, fame, and even the barriers of life itself.”
She recounted their shared childhood memories from Peshawar and how their camaraderie remained unshaken despite the whirlwind of Mumbai’s film industry. “Their bond was born in the streets of their hometown, strengthened in the whirlwind of Mumbai, and immortalized on the grand stage of life. But beyond the glitz and glamour, they were just two men who found joy in each other’s company. Their shared love for cricket brought them together as boys at heart, laughing and cheering under the sun. Their compassion united them as they worked side by side for causes greater than themselves, raising funds, and rallying hope in difficult times,” she stated.
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One delightful memory she shared was of Raj Kapoor, with his playful wit, often teasing Dilip Kumar about marriage, saying, “’Shaadi kyun nahi karta, yaar? Jis din tu shaadi karega, ghutno ke bal chal ke aunga tere paas!’ And when that day came when Sahib married me Raj Ji, true to his word, knelt before him and laughed, ‘See, I told you! Thank you for finally letting me do this.'”
Saira also recounted an emotional moment from the final days of Raj Kapoor’s life. “Years later, when Raj Ji lay in a hospital bed after a cardiac arrest, Sahib, who was abroad, rushed back the moment he heard. Standing by his motionless friend, he whispered through his tears, “Raj, wake up! I’ve brought the ‘khushboo’ of Chapli Kebabs. Let’s walk through the bazaar, like we used to eating kebabs, laughing, and reminiscing. Bas ab acting mat kar; take me back to Peshawar.” His voice broke, his heart shattered, and in that silent room, the depth of their love echoed louder than words ever could…”
Saira Banu concluded her tribute by saying, “They weren’t just legends. To each other, they were home—an anchor in turbulent waters, a source of strength in moments of weakness. Their story is not just about friendship; it is about a love so pure it blurs every boundary. It was, and always will be, timeless. Remembering Raj Kapoor Ji on his Birth Anniversary!!!”
