Dilip Kumar Once Refused To Work With Saira Banu For Lacking 'Seductive Appeal', 'She Was Too...'

Muhammad Yusuf Khan, popularly known as Dilip Kumar, was hailed as the Kohinoor of Indian cinema. He was often credited with pioneering method acting in cinema and was also referred to as ‘Abhinay Samrat’. After making his acting debut in 1944 with the film, Jwar Bhata, Dilip Kumar went on to give blockbuster hits like Azaad, Naya Daur, Mughal-E-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam and many others.

The man, who was every girl’s dream man, lost his heart to the beautiful Saira Banu. Dilip Kumar’s charm had captivated millions of hearts, and one of them was Saira, who fell in love with him at the age of 12. Saira Banu was 22 when she got married to 44-year-old Dilip Kumar. With an age gap of 22 years, the duo got married on October 11, 1966, and proved to the world that age is just a number.

Dilip Kumar once refused to cast Saira Banu opposite him

In a career spanning five decades, Dilip Kumar has given some of the cult classics to Indian cinema. The actor, who also indulged in filmmaking, often gave his valuable input during the making of a film. Something similar happened when he rejected the idea of casting Saira Banu opposite him in Ram Aur Shyam, in which he played dual roles. In his memoir, The Substance And The Shadow, Dilip Kumar revealed that while Waheed Rehman was chosen, the makers were searching for a female lead.

The producer of the film suggested Saira Banu’s name, but Dilip Kumar was against the idea, thinking that Saira lacked a seductive appeal and was too delicate. Penning the same in his memoir, Dilip Kumar wrote:

“Nagi Reddy was all admiration for Saira and her recent performances and was certain that her pairing with me in the comedy situations would be a huge draw since she possessed a wonderful flair for spirited comedy. Since it was my practice to take an active interest in the making of my film, I voiced my opinion that I did not agree with Nagi Reddy on this issue because I felt she was too delicate and innocent in appearance for a character that had to have loads of seductive appeal and a bold, buxom appearance.”

Dilip Kumar revealed his refusal to cast Saira offended her

However, when Saira Banu got to know about Dilip Kumar’s refusal to cast her, she was offended. In his memoir, he mentioned about the same and penned:

“My refusal to work in Ram Aur Shyam with her was the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Sure enough, I received more than my fair share of brickbats from Saira in various ways.”

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu’s love story

When Dilip Kumar’s super hit romantic tragedy film, Mughal-e-Azam, premiered at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir in 1960, Saira, who was just 16, had gone for the show to get a glimpse of her favourite star. But she was disappointed and heartbroken when Dilip saab didn’t come to the premiere.

Saira was madly in love with Dilip Kumar, and it was her mother and actress, Nassem Banu, who had played Cupid between Dilip and Saira. She was the one responsible for introducing them to each other and bringing them closer. After falling in love with the gorgeous Saira, Dilip Kumar proposed to her, and without much ado, she agreed.

Did you know about this lesser-known fact from Dilip Kumar and Sair Banu’s life?

Also Read: Bhagyashree Was Scolded By Father-In-Law For Saying I Miss You To Her Husband, 'Wo Khelne Gaya Hai?'

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