Veteran actress Saira Banu recently made her debut on social media. Ever since her debut, she has been sharing several interesting stories related to the film industry and her late husband Dilip Kumar. Recently, on friendship day, the Padosan actress shared a video compiling several heart-warming moments of ‘The Tragedy King’ with his friends from the cine fraternity.
On Thursday, the actress shared yet another lesser-known vintage tale of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s friendship.
Saira shared a picture of ‘The Tragedy King’ with ‘The Showman’ sharing a heart-warming moment. While Raj can be seen on the harmonium with a bright smile on his face, Dilip can be seen whistling. As it seems, the Saudagar actor really enjoyed the jamming session with his dearest friend Raj.
Penning down a long post, Saira wrote: Dilip Sahib and Raj Kapoor were childhood friends. They were both born in Peshawar, their native city and as they grew up, they studied at “Khalsa College”, in Bombay. Later on, they spent days in their formative years at “Bombay Talkies” where they worked under the scrutinizing care and guidance of stalwarts like Devika Rani, the owner, Mr.Shashadhar Mukherji, producer and the elite company of superstar Ashok Kumar. (sic)
Her post continued, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Sahib loved each other in the same measure as they loved their own siblings, but they both shared thoughts, emotions and secret aspirations more with each other than perhaps anyone in their own respective families. (sic)
Reminiscing the good old days, Saira wrote: If Raj ji were in London and Sahib phoned that he was needed here in town for some important function, Raj ji would think nothing of just flying back immediately, this was the love and respect they had for each other. At our marriage, Raj ji and Shashi danced all the way from Sahib’s house to my house. (sic)
Saira also mentioned that Dilip and Raj shared a great bond of friendship even though they were professional rivals. Further, her post read: Of course, they had their professional rivalry, and it would have been abnormal if they did not compete as professionals, but the beauty of it was that they hated to see each other fail or fall from their respective positions as “Superstars”. They were immensely proud of each other in a loving way. For instance, on the release of ‘SHAKTI” Raj Ji sent a huge bouquet of roses to Sahib with a special note that said “Long Live The King”. (sic)
Recalling the last moments of the friends' duo, Saira wrote: Sahib was abroad to attend a felicitation by the president when Raj Ji suddenly had a cardiac stroke and was admitted to ‘Apollo Hospital’ in Delhi. The very day Dilip Sahib returned to India, took a flight to Delhi, and was rushed to the hospital. He said to Raj Ji "I have just come back from Peshawar’ and brought back the ‘Khushboo’ of Chapli Kebabs to tempt you. We will go together and walk through the bazaar as we used to and enjoy the Kebabs and Rotis. Raj wake up and stop acting. I know you are a great actor, but you have to take me with you to the courtyard of the house in Peshawar”. Dilip Sahib’s voice was now choking, and tears were streaming down as he spoke to his dearest friend, lying unconscious on the bed. (sic)
Well, sharing such true friendship even being rivals professionally is an exemplary instance that can be rarely found these days. The friendship tale of the stalwarts of Indian cinema will certainly inspire generations.