It is a rare sight when you get to see the unrivalled thespian of Indian Cinema Dilip Kumar plant an amorous kiss on his wife of forty two years Saira Banu in front of the dozens of flash bulbs. The media had gathered in full force at his bungalow Solitaire in Bandra, Mumbai to discuss the prospects of the first Bhojpuri film (Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamaar) under their banner Sharp Focus. Produced by Sultan Ahmed and directed by Arshad Khan, the cast comprises of Ravi Kishen, Nagma and Mona Thiba.

The first thing that hit me was the pristine magnificence of Dilip Kumar’s abode. A grand living room, humungous chandeliers, casually chic seating arrangement, large glass window overlooking the magnificent lawn where a huge Mango tree stood rock solid (maybe symbolic of Dilip Kumar’s position in the world of cinema). Saira Banu greeted warmly, followed by adrak-ki-chai and a round of turning-back-the-clock question and nostalgic answers. She started off by saying that the idea of Production had struck her first way back in 1962 with a film titled ‘Palkon Ki Chaon Mein’. That film was never made. And now, she has forayed into the world of Bhojpuri films as she thinks Bhojpuri is a fine language. She also recalled how she got a taste of the language first in the film ‘Bairaag’ where she teases a blind Dilip Kumar who speaks in chaste Bhojpuri.

Saira Banu, one of the most glamorous actresses of her times is still remembered for films like ‘Junglee’, ‘Purab Aur Paschim’, ‘Ram Aur Shyam’, ‘Gopi’ and ‘Padosan’. She gave up her career for her love Dilip Kumar (Senior to her by a good twenty years). It is because of her immaculate care that the octogenarian Kumar is still in good health and brandishes an extremely good sense of humour now-n-then. As he made the entry wearing a white Kurta Pyjama into a buzzing living room, he put two fingers of each hands in his mouth and out came a loud whistle. He spoke to the camerapersons in Marathi (Although he later confessed that there’s no language like Urdu) and enquired about everybody. Actress Nagma, the heroine of the film sauntered in at that point looking resplendent in a blue salwar kameez. She later headed to another corner to give interviews as no one was asking her any question while sitting with the legend anyways.

Dilip Kumar was not in a mood to talk much about his films as he is rightly of the opinion that his films deserve “reverence” and proper time ought to be spent in talking to him in private. A few filmy questions he answered were:

Your favourite actors or actress of yesteryears

Jimmy Stewart and Ingrid Burgman

A film of recent times that has appealed to you the most

‘Black’

Amitabh Bachchan like so many others copied your style…He speaks very highly of you

He is a genuinely good man. I myself don’t know any acting so how can anyone else copy me defies my imagination. As for Amitabh, he can speak very well in English, Hindi as well as Urdu.

Saira Banu would like to produce a film for Dilip Kumar soon as she has a couple of good scripts. It would be great to see the master on screen…maybe for that one last time. It was raining outside as I finished the assignment for the day. Undoubtedly it was The most fruitful and proudest day of my life as a professional journalist. I would like to end with an Urdu Couplet that best summarises a towering personality like Dilip Kumar, a rare talent that is born once in a lifetime.

Hazaron Saal Nargis Apni Benoori Pe Roti Hai

Badi Mushkil Se Hota Hai Chaman Mein Deedawar Paida