Hopefully, he’ll be home soon, says Saira Banu

One of India’s most distinguished actors Dilip Kumar, now 93, is in the hospital again. But with worst fears already allayed, his devoted wife and veteran actress Saira Banu is now breathing a sigh of relief after a tumultous week.

On Sunday morning the yesteryear actress expressed optimism about her husband’s quick recovery. She said, “His MRI test shows all clear. Thank God. Please pray that all is well. God willing he will soon be well and can be at home.”

Saira Banu who married the then India’s “most eligible bachelor” in 1966, snatching him away from some of the beautiful women in Bollywood, has been single-mindedly devoted to looking after him through all these years.

The actress says, “It has been entirely my privilege and honour. Main toh unke paon ki dhool bhi nahi (I am not even the dust on his feet). He could have married anyone, any woman he wanted. He chose me. I consider myself very, very fortunate. I always call him the Kohinoor of the film industry. I am lucky to be so close to him for so many years. I couldn’t have chosen a better life. I can’t imagine any other life for me.”

Point out to her that even Dilip saab was no less lucky to have found such a devoted wife and she jokes, “Haan, I guess if I was chosen to be his wife I must be special. Unki biwi hone ke liye calibre honi chahiye (to be his wife one needs to have some calibre). But seriously, all Indian wives look after their husbands. In my family I’ve seen so many women being devoted to their husbands. I grew up watching that. To me, it is a very natural thing.”