07 July,2026 02:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar. Pic via Instagram
Five years after the passing of legendary actor Dilip Kumar, veteran actress Saira Banu has shared a heartfelt tribute, remembering the man she lovingly called "Sahib." Marking his death anniversary, the actor penned an emotional note reflecting on love, companionship and the memories that continue to keep him alive in her heart.
Taking to social media, Saira wrote that while time moves on, memories remain constant companions. She described them as moments that quietly return, carrying smiles, conversations and shared experiences that make loved ones feel close even after they are gone.
"The most beautiful thing about life is that it never truly departs. It lingers... in memories," she wrote, adding that remembering someone is perhaps the purest proof they have never been forgotten.
Reflecting on her decades-long marriage with Dilip Kumar, Saira said she believes he left her with "a treasury of memories" that she will continue to cherish for the rest of her life. She recalled how July 7, 2021, marked not only a personal loss but also the passing of a man loved by generations of fans, colleagues and friends.
Saira described Dilip Kumar as far more than the cinematic icon celebrated by the world. For her, he was "the steadfast anchor" of her life, someone whose generosity and quiet strength allowed her to simply be his companion without worrying about life's burdens.
She praised his unmatched dedication to cinema but said those who truly knew him would remember an even gentler side, a compassionate human being, philanthropist and loyal friend whose kindness knew no bounds.
Looking back, Saira admitted she only later realised that she had not merely witnessed history but had lived within it.
She expressed gratitude for having shared a life with the legendary actor, calling it one of her greatest blessings.
Ending her emotional note, she wrote that although five years have passed since his death, Dilip Kumar has never truly left her life.
"Love of such depth does not submit to time... He continues to reside wherever my memories wander, and they wander to him every single day," she wrote, adding that loving and being loved by Dilip Kumar remains the greatest blessing of her life.
