In the golden age of Indian cinema, few love stories captured the public imagination like that of Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. Their romance, blooming on the sets of Tarana, was one of Bollywood’s most cherished tales. But their love, though deep, was not destined to culminate in marriage. Years later, long after they had gone their separate ways and Dilip Kumar had married Saira Banu, life gave the former lovers one final meeting—an encounter that left an indelible mark on the legendary actor’s heart.
In his memoir The Substance and the Shadow: An Autobiography, Dilip Kumar recounted a poignant moment when Madhubala requested to see him urgently. What surprised him more than the request itself was the grace and maturity of his wife, Saira Banu, who encouraged him to meet his former love. “It was this quality of his wife of not dwelling over the past that impressed him,” the book noted.
Dilip Kumar shared, “Soon after our nikah (marriage), while we were staying in Madras, I received a message from Madhubala that she wished to see me urgently. I confided in Saira as soon as we returned to Bombay about the message. Saira at once insisted that I should meet Madhu since it must be something she was distressed about.”
Despite years of silence and emotional distance, the bond between the two had never completely vanished. When Dilip Kumar visited Madhubala’s home, he was heartbroken to see the once-vibrant actress reduced to a frail shadow of her former self. “When I went to Madhu’s home, I was pained to see that she was frail and looked very weak,” he wrote. “The pallor on her face not only belied her ill health, but her magnificent, impish smile seemed such an effort.”
Yet, even in her weak state, Madhubala welcomed him with warmth. She was happy to see him, and her words during that encounter reflected both joy and closure. “Hamare shehzade ko unki shehzadi mil gayi hai, main bahut khush hoon!” she told him, which means: “Our prince has got his princess, I am very happy.”
Rare picture of Madhubala with a kid in her last days
The meeting, though brief, was deeply emotional. Madhubala had reached out to seek Dilip Kumar’s advice on personal matters. “She was worried about some personal matters that she needed my advice on and we discussed them until she was somewhat satisfied that they could be sorted out. She then relaxed,” he recalled.
That was the final time Dilip Kumar ever saw Madhubala.
Reflecting on the encounter, he wrote with quiet sorrow, “That was the last time I saw her. She passed away on 23 February 1969.”
Madhubala, who had married singer-actor Kishore Kumar in 1960, had lived a life of great highs and personal pain. Her marriage was reportedly not smooth, and her declining health—caused by a congenital heart condition—kept her away from the limelight in her final years. She passed away at the age of just 36, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a story that continues to stir hearts even today.
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