"What do you suggest, aunty?": Saira Banu’s poignant tribute to Dilip Kumar on his death anniversary
On the solemn occasion of legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s death anniversary, his wife and iconic actress Saira Banu poured her heart out in an emotional tribute that beautifully captured the man behind the myth — the one she lovingly calls “Sahib.”
In a touching note shared on July 7, Saira remembered her late husband not just as the “Tragedy King” or one of Hindi cinema’s greatest actors, but as a tender, witty soul who turned ordinary moments into everlasting memories.
“The dearth of Sahib could never go,” she wrote. “And yet, I am still with him — one in thought, in mind, in life. In this lifetime, and in the next.”
Reflecting on his legacy, Saira Banu called him “an entire era,” a man who inspired six generations of actors and charmed statesmen, lawyers, economists, industrialists — yet remained deeply rooted in the hearts of everyday people. “He was never once removed from the common man’s soul,” she wrote.
One moment in particular stood out in her reminiscence — a quiet evening at home during a musical gathering. While the guests enjoyed classical music, Dilip Kumar gently excused himself and later left behind a handwritten note for her that read:
“Feeling sleepy, what do you suggest, Aunty?... Yours 100%.”
A line brimming with love, mischief, and the kind of intimacy that makes legends human.
“He made the ordinary moments eternal,” Saira reflected. “And through every jest, every note, every glance, he left behind something rare: Love that lingers.”
Accompanying her tribute was a video montage of Dilip Kumar’s timeless photographs, a visual walk down memory lane for fans who still hold him close to their hearts. She acknowledged the steady stream of messages she receives each year, describing them as “prayers wrapped in warmth”, a testament to the enduring love the world still holds for the late icon.
Dilip Kumar passed away on July 7, 2021, but as Saira Banu reminded us — “Dilip Sahib is forever. Beyond time. Beyond life. May Allah continue to keep him wrapped in His noor and mercy. Aameen.”