Raksha Bandhan 2023: Saira Banu On Dilip Kumar And Lata Mangeshkar's Bond - "In Sickness And In Health"

"The very last time that she came here she lovingly fed him with her own hands," wrote Saira Banu

While the popular rhetoric is that Bollywood is the land of fickle bonds and relationships, Saira Banu's stories about Dilip Kumar and his friendships and associations come as a breath of fresh air. A case in point is her latest post shared on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Sharing a lovely image of the late Dilip Kumar with legendary singer, the late Lata Mangeshkar, Saira Banu wrote about how the two shared a bond of siblings and would find a way to meet each other on Raksha Bandhan every year. In her note, Saira Banu said, “The Kohinoor of Indian Cinema Dilip Sahib and the Nightingale of the Music Industry of India Lata Mangeshkar held a connection beyond the dazzle of their stupendous stardom. They shared the bond of a brother and sister. In those golden quiet bygone days, these legendary two-some found it comfortable to travel from their homes to their work spots in local trains which are also known as the life-line of this marvellous city Mumbai.”

Saira Banu also revealed that it was Dilip Kumar who encouraged Lata Mangeshkar to learn Urdu and acquire a command over the pronunciation. “It was during this travelling time that they shared their thoughts, and experiences, and sought each other's advice. It was at one such journey that Sahib guided Lataji on how much the heart of Urdu lies in its flawless pronunciation and how something as simple as a Nukta adds a beautiful addition to words. Sahib emphasised that one must own the spoken languages with mastery. Lataji, an obedient sister in every sense, worked upon his advice and sought an Urdu tutor's assistance. Since then, the world bore witness to her flawless pronunciation in her songs.”