Dilip Kumar secretly married another woman after 16 years with Saira Banu,said, "when I admitted the grave mistake..."

Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

Dilip Kumar, one of Bollywood's most iconic and revered actors, led a life filled with both personal triumphs and struggles. Widely admired for his performances and charm, he was once regarded as one of the most eligible bachelors in India. However, his personal life, particularly his marriage to Saira Banu, was marked by both love and hardship, leading the actor to reflect deeply on the choices he made.

Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu, who was 22 years old at the time, when he was 44. Despite their age difference, the couple was seen as one of Bollywood's most beloved pairs. Their union was considered a fairy-tale romance for many. However, after 16 years of marriage, their relationship faced a deep crisis when it was revealed that Dilip Kumar had secretly married another woman in Hyderabad.

This discovery came as a devastating blow to Saira. She first learned about Dilip's second wife, Asma Rehman, from a newspaper, an event that left her in disbelief. Initially, Saira could not fathom that her husband, whom she had loved and trusted for so long, could betray her in such a way. But as the truth unfolded, the heartache became undeniable. In his memoir The Substance and the Shadow: An Autobiography, Dilip Kumar opened up about how he met Asma Rehman. He recounted how their first encounter was innocent enough, during a cricket match, where he was introduced to her as a married woman with three children. However, what followed was a complicated and emotionally charged series of events that ultimately led to a breakdown in his marriage with Saira.

Despite the turmoil, Dilip Kumar took responsibility for his actions. He openly admitted that he had made a "grave mistake" and was regretful of the pain he had caused Saira. He said, "Saira stood by me when I admitted the grave mistake and asked her to give me some time to undo the wrong through proper legal processes and restore the sanctity of our marriage of sixteen years." His decision to acknowledge his fault was a step toward reconciliation. He asked Saira for her forgiveness and requested time to legally dissolve his marriage with Asma, vowing that he would never repeat the same mistake.

The situation was painful for both Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. Dilip admitted that his actions had caused immense pain, not just to Saira but also to the trust they had built over the years. He confessed, "I can never forget or forgive myself for the hurt I caused to Saira and the shattering of the unshakeable faith she had in me." This period of personal turmoil, however, was not the end of their relationship. Dilip Kumar’s reflection on this chapter of his life showed that he believed there was a divine purpose behind the crisis. He felt that it brought him and Saira closer, helping them rebuild their bond despite the deep scars left by the ordeal.

Reflecting on his second marriage to Asma Rehman in 1982, Dilip Kumar considered himself a victim of the circumstances that had been manipulated by outside forces. He was unaware that there were "vested interests" working behind the scenes to create the situation that ultimately led to his second marriage. This was a painful admission in his autobiography, where he described the manipulation and deceit involved in the whole affair. Despite his marriage to Asma, Dilip Kumar's relationship with Saira Banu endured, and they remained married until the end of his life.

Dilip Kumar’s honesty about his mistakes and the emotional pain he caused is a testament to his personal growth and the depth of his love for Saira. His regret and willingness to make amends with Saira reflect the complexity of human relationships, where even the most revered figures are not immune to mistakes. His reflections show that while love can be deeply tested, it is through understanding, commitment, and growth that relationships can endure. (Source: Bollywoodlife)