Saira Banu reunites with Hema Malini, recalls Janmashtami that led to her marriage with Dilip Kumar

Saira Banu shares pic with Hema Malini

Veteran actress Saira Banu has recently reunited with Hema Malini and shared a picture with her on Instagram. She also recalled the ‘golden days’ that they had spent together. Additionally, Saira also reflected on Janmashtami, which had changed her life for once and for all.

Saira Banu took to her Instagram and shared two photos with Hema Malini. Alongside the photo, the veteran actress penned a lengthy note in the caption.

The note reads, “You see, Hema and I had been wishing to meet each other for a very long time, but life, in its own way, kept us apart. Not so long ago, she called me, and before I knew it, she was at my doorstep. We spent a beautiful few hours together immersed in memories, reliving those golden days, and sharing laughter over stories that time can never erase.”

She added, “Among them, we revisited a Janmashtami incident—one so profound that it changed the course of my life within weeks.”

The veteran actress also recalled the first day of meeting Hema Malini and continued, “I first met Hema in 1966, on the sets of Deewana by Raj Kapoor Sahab. She had come along with her producer Anantswamy to RK Studios, Chembur, and I remember being instantly impressed by her lovely looks.”

She added, “Soon after, we met again while we were simultaneously shooting at the scenic Krishna Raj Sagar Dam in the South. Our rooms were adjoining, and in the evenings my mother, Hema, her mother and I would sit together in the large verandahs, exchanging beauty secrets. I reminded her how Amma would put lobaan in her hair for freshness and khushboo, a detail that made her laugh in surprise at how much I remembered.”

She also talked about veteran actor husband Dilip Kumar and added, “I also recalled how Dilip Sahab and I introduced her to the press in Madras, in a meeting organised by Anantswamy. Dilip Sahab was so kind and gracious to be the main person to introduce her, and Hema was visibly touched by that memory.”

“Not long ago, it warmed my heart to see her with Dharam ji on a reality show dancing together so beautifully. Dharam ji put his arm around her, and the love and comfort between them was such a joy to watch. She laughed that day and told her her cousin Prabha, who accompanied her that how much “Saira ji remembers!”” recalled the actress.

The caption concluded, “During that conversation with Hema, I told her another Janmashtami story one that is especially close to my heart. The picturisation of the Kanha song in Shagird happened to fall exactly on Janmashtami. We were shooting at Filmistan Studios with the ever-charming Nazir Hussain Sahab, who was also working in Madras with Dilip Sahab on Ram Aur Shyam. Because of date issues, Nazir Sahab would shoot with me late into the night and then fly early in the morning to work with Dilip Sahab.”

Saira Banu continued recalling Janmashtami in the comment section.

She penned, “That night, as I sang the bhajan before Lord Krishna’s idol with Lataji’s enchanting voice in playback, I mischievously told Nazir Sahab, “You are working with Dilip Sahab oh, how lucky you are! Please tell him that Saira is dying to work with him… and if he refuses, then ask him to marry me!” Nazir Sahab was momentarily stunned, and then burst into that booming laughter he was so famous for.”

Also Read: Taylor Swift's next song 'Ruin the Friendship' fuels speculation about rift with Blake Lively

She continued, “The next morning, he dutifully carried my playful message to Dilip Sahab. I’m told Dilip Sahab smiled gracefully perhaps to hide his embarrassment. But wonder of wonders, within days, he walked into my life, looked into my eyes, and asked my grandmother and mother for my hand in marriage.”

She further noted, “When I think back now, I realise Janmashtami has always brought me precious blessings friendships, cherished memories, and the love of my life. And sharing these stories with Hema made the memories all the more sweet.”