The friendship between the late legendary actor Dilip Kumar and The Greatest Showman Raj Kapoor, which began in their childhood, is considered one of the most genuine relationships ever seen in Bollywood. Dilip's spouse, the veteran actress Saira Banu, recently wrote a lengthy tribute to honour their bond.
In her most recent social media post, Saira Banu wrote at length about the companionship between her deceased spouse Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, who was also a prominent figure during their era.
She wrote, "Dilip Sahib and Raj Kapoor were childhood friends. They were both born in Peshawar, their native city and as they grew up, they studied at “Khalsa College”, in Bombay. Later on, they spent days in their formative years at “Bombay Talkies” where they worked under the scrutinizing care and guidance of stalwarts like Devika Rani, the owner, Mr.Shashadhar Mukherji, producer and the elite company of superstar Ashok Kumar."
She added, "Raj Kapoor and Dilip Sahib loved each other in the same measure as they loved their own siblings, but they both shared thoughts, emotions and secret aspirations more with each other than perhaps anyone in their own respective families.
If Raj ji were in London and Sahib phoned that he was needed here in town for some important function, Raj ji would think nothing of just flying back immediately, this was the love and respect they had for each other. At our marriage, Raj ji and Shashi danced all the way from Sahib’s house to my house."
"Of course, they had their professional rivalry, and it would have been abnormal if they did not compete as professionals, but the beauty of it was that they hated to see each other fail or fall from their respective positions as “Superstars”. They were immensely proud of each other in a loving way. For instance, on the release of ‘SHAKTI” Raj Ji sent a huge bouquet of roses to Sahib with a special note that said “Long Live The King'," she continued.
Concluding the post, she wrote, "Sahib was abroad to attend a felicitation by the president when Raj Ji suddenly had a cardiac stroke and was admitted to ‘Apollo Hospital’ in Delhi. The very day Dilip Sahib returned to India, took a flight to Delhi, and was rushed to the hospital. He said to Raj Ji "I have just come back from Peshawar’ and brought back the ‘Khushboo’ of Chapli Kebabs to tempt you. We will go together and walk through the bazaar as we used to and enjoy the Kebabs and Rotis. Raj wake up and stop acting. I know you are a great actor, but you have to take me with you to the courtyard of the house in Peshawar”. Dilip Sahib’s voice was now choking, and tears were streaming down as he spoke to his dearest friend, lying unconscious on the bed."
Raj Kapoor passed away in June 1988. Even today, he is celebrated as "the greatest showman of Indian cinema."
See Also: Saira Banu shares sweet anecdotes about Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt's friendship, read on
In her most recent social media post, Saira Banu wrote at length about the companionship between her deceased spouse Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, who was also a prominent figure during their era.
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She wrote, "Dilip Sahib and Raj Kapoor were childhood friends. They were both born in Peshawar, their native city and as they grew up, they studied at “Khalsa College”, in Bombay. Later on, they spent days in their formative years at “Bombay Talkies” where they worked under the scrutinizing care and guidance of stalwarts like Devika Rani, the owner, Mr.Shashadhar Mukherji, producer and the elite company of superstar Ashok Kumar."
She added, "Raj Kapoor and Dilip Sahib loved each other in the same measure as they loved their own siblings, but they both shared thoughts, emotions and secret aspirations more with each other than perhaps anyone in their own respective families.
If Raj ji were in London and Sahib phoned that he was needed here in town for some important function, Raj ji would think nothing of just flying back immediately, this was the love and respect they had for each other. At our marriage, Raj ji and Shashi danced all the way from Sahib’s house to my house."
"Of course, they had their professional rivalry, and it would have been abnormal if they did not compete as professionals, but the beauty of it was that they hated to see each other fail or fall from their respective positions as “Superstars”. They were immensely proud of each other in a loving way. For instance, on the release of ‘SHAKTI” Raj Ji sent a huge bouquet of roses to Sahib with a special note that said “Long Live The King'," she continued.
Concluding the post, she wrote, "Sahib was abroad to attend a felicitation by the president when Raj Ji suddenly had a cardiac stroke and was admitted to ‘Apollo Hospital’ in Delhi. The very day Dilip Sahib returned to India, took a flight to Delhi, and was rushed to the hospital. He said to Raj Ji "I have just come back from Peshawar’ and brought back the ‘Khushboo’ of Chapli Kebabs to tempt you. We will go together and walk through the bazaar as we used to and enjoy the Kebabs and Rotis. Raj wake up and stop acting. I know you are a great actor, but you have to take me with you to the courtyard of the house in Peshawar”. Dilip Sahib’s voice was now choking, and tears were streaming down as he spoke to his dearest friend, lying unconscious on the bed."
Raj Kapoor passed away in June 1988. Even today, he is celebrated as "the greatest showman of Indian cinema."
See Also: Saira Banu shares sweet anecdotes about Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt's friendship, read on
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