Tag: Saira Banu

  • Saira Banu breaks her silence on separation from A.R. Rahman

    Saira Banu breaks her silence on separation from A.R. Rahman

    Saira Banu, the ex-wife of Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman, has broken her silence on her separation from her husband.


    Indian media reports state that Saira Banu introduced herself as Saira Rahman in an audio statement and said, “I am currently in Mumbai. I have not been feeling well physically for the last few months, so I have decided to ‘take a break’ from AR.”


    She requested YouTubers and Tamil media not to say anything bad about AR Rahman, stating, “He is a priceless person and the best human being in the world.”


    She explained that she had to leave Chennai due to health problems. “I came to Mumbai for my treatment, and this was not possible in Chennai with AR’s busy schedule. I did not want to bother anyone, neither my children nor him.”


    She further praised AR Rahman: “He is a wonderful person. And I only request that he be left as he is. I trust and love him more than my own life, and he loves me as much. Therefore, I request you all to stop all false allegations against him, leave us alone, and let him rest in peace. Right now, we have not officially announced anything.”


    She stressed that she will return to Chennai soon, but wants to complete her treatment first. “I request you to stop tarnishing his name; he is a priceless personality,” she asked the media. 
    In her statement, Saira Banu did not specify what illness afflicts he. 


    Saira Banu announced her separation from her husband after 29 years of marriage.


    Saira Banu’s lawyer Vandana Shah released a statement that said that after many years of marriage, Saira has taken the difficult decision to separate from her husband, AR Rahman.

     This decision was taken due to complications in their relationship.


    The statement mentioned that despite their deep love for each other, the couple felt that due to bitterness and difficulties, a distance had been created between them that both parties are unable to bridge at this time.


    Saira requested fans to respect her privacy and emotions during this difficult time.


    Later, AR Rahman also issued a message from his X account in which he wrote, “We had hoped to reach 30 years of marriage, but everything in the world has an end that no one has seen. Even the throne of God can tremble due to the burden of broken hearts.”


    According to Indian media, AR Rahman married Saira Banu on March 12, 1995. The couple has three children.


    AR Rahman and Saira had an arranged marriage. The musician revealed in an interview that his mother had arranged Saira’s marriage.

  • A. R. Rahman’s children react to parent’s divorce announcement

    A. R. Rahman’s children react to parent’s divorce announcement

     

    Bollywood maestro A. R. Rahman and Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu, have announced their decision to separate after 29 years of marriage. 

    Rahman shared an emotional note with his fans on November 19, thanking them for respecting their privacy during this difficult time. 

    In his post on X (formerly Twitter), A. R. Rahman expressed the pain of the separation, saying, “We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter.”

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    A. R. Rahman and Saira Banu tied the knot on March 12, 1995, and have three children together. 

    On November 19, Saira Banu’s lawyer, Vanda Shah, released a public statement conforming the separation.  

    The statement read: “After many years of marriage, Mrs Saira has made the difficult decision to separate from her husband Mr AR Rahman. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship”

     “Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time. Mrs Saira emphasised that she has taken this decision out of pain and agony. Mrs Saira requests privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as she navigates this difficult chapter in her life”, the further statement read.
      
    Last night, the children of A. R. Rahman, Khatijam Ameen and Raheem took to Instagram stories to react to the news. 

    Ameen wrote on his Instagram story, “We kindly request everyone to respect our privacy during this time. Thank you for your understanding.”  

     

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    His daughter, Khatija, wrote her story on Instagram: “I would greatly appreciate it if this matter could be treated with the utmost privacy and respect. Thank you for your consideration.” 

     

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    Earlier, Indian musician and singer A. R. Rahman shared a startling personal revelation, revealing that he contemplated suicide multiple times during his youth.

    Speaking at the Oxford Union Debating Society, Rahman revealed that his mother had told him to live his life for others and that if he could switch his mindset and do so, it would dispel negative thoughts.

    Rahman expressed gratitude for his mother’s advice and said it was the “most beautiful counsel”.

    Rahman also stressed the importance of living for others, saying it was essential.

    “I took my mother’s advice seriously, whether it’s composing music for someone, writing, or buying food for those in need,” Rahman said, adding that “acts like these, even just smiling at someone, are what give us reasons to live.”

  • ‘Shah Rukh Khan was the first person to console me after Dilip died’: Saira Banu

    ‘Shah Rukh Khan was the first person to console me after Dilip died’: Saira Banu

    Yesteryear leading lady Saira Banu shared a heart warming story about Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan on her Instagram page. The actress revealed that the superstar was the first to console her after the death of her husband, legendary actor Dilip Kumar in . The thespian and Banu had been married for 54 years when the thespian died at the age of 98 years.

    In a detailed account, she wrote on Instgram page, that she first met the ‘Pathaan’ actor at an event where he appeared shy and reticent, resembling Dilip’s personality.

    When he bowed before Saira and asked for her blessings, the actress realised his hair resembled her husband’s.

    “Since that day, whenever Shahrukh and I met, he graciously lowered his head, allowing me to offer him my blessings. Interestingly, on one occasion, I forgot to run my hand through his hair, and immediately after, Shahrukh lowered his head, saying, “Aaj Aapne Mere Baalon Par Hath Nahin Phera”, and without hesitation, I lovingly ran my fingers through his hair, completing our familiar ritual.”

    Saira wrote about thf Bollywood Badshah being especially considerate when Dilip Kumar passed away.

    “In that moment,’ writes the ‘Junglee’ actress. “His affection for the ‘Kohinoor of Hindustan,’ Dilip Sahib, shone brightly as he was among the very first to offer his comforting presence in the face of adversity.”

    Saira also reflected how Shah Rukh’s respect and affection for her late husband shined when he came to their house to get the ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ poster signed by him, and which he has kept in his private theatre.

    Read her complete caption here

  • Saira Banu shares endearing throwback to when she asked for Dilip Kumar’s hand in marriage

    Saira Banu shares endearing throwback to when she asked for Dilip Kumar’s hand in marriage

    Bollywood legend Saira Banu joined Instagram on July 7, where she has since shared some memories of her relationship with the late icon Dilip Kumar, who passed away in 2021 after a prolonged illness. The veteran actor, who starred in films like ‘Padosan’, ‘Junglee’ and ‘Shaadi’, shared a wholesome story, one in which she proposed to her thespian husband.

    In a lengthy caption on her Instagram account, the actress said that during the shoot of ‘Shagird’, she approached the late director Nazir Hussain and cheekily requested him to ask Dilip Sahab to work with her, or marry Saira.

     “I turned to Nazir Sahab and with a mischievous smile on my face asked him for a favour! ‘You are working with Dilip Sahab, Oh! you are so lucky enough to be working with Dilip Sahab, please request him that Saira is dying to work with him and if he doesn’t do this then ask him to marry me!’.”

    Nazir Hussain was at first dumb struck, Bano wrote, but then began laughing. He later travelled to Madras to relay Saira’s request to the late icon.

    “Dilip Sahab,” wrote the ‘Padosan’ actress.”I am told gracefully smiled and acknowledged my cheeky message, to probably cover his embarrassment—-although I think you could have knocked him down with a feather!”

    When the shoot for the song ‘Kanha’ was finished, Dillip visited her mother and grandmother and asked them for her hand in marriage.

    Read her complete account here:

  • Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu: A love story that lasted over five decades

    Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu: A love story that lasted over five decades

    The love story of Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu is surely one of its kind, no less than a blockbuster Bollywood film with all the right ingredients. Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu had been together for 54 years, until the legendary actor died on Wednesday (July 7).

    Here’s how their love story developed over the decades:

    12-YEAR-OLD SAIRA BANU FELL FOR 34-YEAR-OLD DILIP KUMAR

    Bairaag actress was just 12 when she fell in love with the 34-year-old Aan actor, who was already a big star at that time. In 1960, during the premiere of Mughal-e-Azam, a 16-year-old Saira was expecting to meet her crush for the first time. However, the actor didn’t turn up for the premiere which left her shattered.

    WHEN SAIRA AND DILIP MET FOR THE FIRST TIME

    The dynamic duo met for the first time a few years later, Saira said in an interview that, “When he smiled at me and remarked that I was a pretty girl, I could feel my whole self-being taking wings and flying rapturously. I knew somewhere deep within me that I was going to be his wife.”

    DILIP KUMAR AND SAIRA BANU: THE UNION

    Saira’s mother, Naseem Banu, played cupid in their love story and encouraged Kumar to propose to her daughter. The two got married in the year 1966.

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    TOGETHER TILL THE LAST BREATH

    Saira remained a doting wife till Dilip’s concluding moments. She was spotted with the legendary actor on several hospital visits and made sure that the best medical care is provided to him as he was battling prostate cancer.

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    The couple tied the knot in 1966 and spent almost 54 years of their lives together. They worked together in several films including the blockbuster Gopi (1970).

  • Dilip Kumar: First Khan of Bollywood’s six best performances

    Dilip Kumar: First Khan of Bollywood’s six best performances

    Dilip Kumar has created a legacy of his own in Bollywood that is difficult to emulate. The superstar, who is famously known as the industry’s ‘Tragedy King’, began his career in 1944 with Jwar Bhata.

    Here’s a list of his cinematic marvels as a performer:

    Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

    A period drama film set in the 16th century where the son of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, Prince Salim, falls in love with a courtesan called Anarkali. Dilip starred as Salim in the movie whereas Madhubala pursued the role of Anarkali.

    Daag (1952)

    He received his first Filmfare Award for the best actor category for this film. Daag is a story of a man named Shankar, who gives up drinking and becomes successful for the love of Parvati essayed by actress Nimmi.

    Ganga Jumna (1961)

    Ganga Jumna is the first and only film produced by Dilip, the plot of the movie revolves around a man who is forced to become a decoit.

    Ram Aur Shyam (1967)

    A classical comic flick that became the base of many other twin-based comedies. Dilip played a dual role in the movie and surprised fans with his incredible comic timing.

    Devdas (1955)

    Devdas is based on the tragic novel by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The movie tells the tale of two lovers who are separated by class differences, the superstar played the titular character.

    Shakti (1982)

    Shakti is the only film that starred Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar together. It is the story of a cop’s son who ends up becoming a criminal due to some unfortunate events

  • ‘God snatched away my reason for living’, Saira Banu’s first words after Dilip Kumar’s death

    ‘God snatched away my reason for living’, Saira Banu’s first words after Dilip Kumar’s death

    Legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar passed away in the early hours of Wednesday on july 7.  Dilip Kumar is survived by his wife and veteran actor Saira Banu.

    The news of the death was confirmed by Dr. Jalil Parkar from PD Hinduja hospital in Mumbai who was treating the actor during his last days.

    An entertainment portal, Peeping Moon, quoted the doctor, as he told how saira Banu reacted to the actor’s passing , “God snatched away my reason for living. Without Sahab, I won’t be able to think about anything. Everyone, please pray.”

    Read More: ‘Dilip Kumar was the greatest actor’: Imran Khan and senior politicians express their grief

    Since last Tuesday, Dilip Kumar was admitted to the Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 ward in Khar. “He passed away due to prolonged illness at 7.30 am,” Dr Jalil Parkar said.

    The couple tied the knot in 1966 and spent almost 54 years of their lives together. Known as the tragedy king in Indian cinema, Kumar acted in over 65 films in his career. The Devdas actor made his acting debut in 1944 with Jwar Bhata.

  • Shah Rukh Khan consoles a devastated Saira Bano at Dilip Kumar’s residence

    Shah Rukh Khan consoles a devastated Saira Bano at Dilip Kumar’s residence

    Legendary Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar has passed away at the age of 98. His family friend Faisal Farooqui announced the same on Twitter, “With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago. We are from God and to Him we return”.

    Many Bollywood celebrities have arrived at Late Dilip Kumar’s residence to express their grief, Jab Tak Hai Jaan actor Shah Rukh Khan came to the funeral and also consoled a crying and devastated Saira Bano.

    RIP Dilip Kumar: Shah Rukh Khan tries to console a heartbroken Saira Banu; Pic inside
    Dilip Kumar Demise: Saira Banu, family and friends leave hospital with actor's mortal remains; PHOTOS

    Dilip Kumar’s last on-screen appearance was in 1998 in the Umesh Mehra directorial Qila.

  • Dilip Kumar recalls memories of his ancestral home in Peshawar

    Dilip Kumar recalls memories of his ancestral home in Peshawar

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s decision to buy and restore the house of Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar located in Peshawar’s historical Qissa Khwani Bazaar – or Street of Storytellers – has won the actor’s heart who took to social media to express his excitement. The legendary actor also requested his fans residing in Peshawar to share photos of his ancestral house on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/TheDilipKumar/status/1311217944764973056?s=20

    Later, Kumar’s manager Faisal Farooqui penned a thread on Kumar’s “sentiments on his ancestral home” which he had shared in a blog post in 2011.

    “I am at once full of fond remembrances of my parents, grandparents and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins who filled the house with the sounds of their chatter and hearty laughter,” Kumar, 97, had written in his blog.

    “I have memories of the sitting room where the family gathered for high tea in the evenings, the large room where the ladies prayed, the terrace, the bedrooms, everything. I can vividly recall the piggy rides on my grandfather’s back and the scary stories my grandmother cooked up to forbid me from wandering out of the house alone,” he wrote further.

    Dilip Kumar’s home

    He continued: “I have lovely memories of Qissa Khwani Bazaar, where I received my first lessons in storytelling, which later provided the impetus to choose meaty stories and scripts for my work. Every day as the trading closed in the market of Qissa Khwani Bazaar, a storyteller would sit in the centre of the square narrating stories of valour and victory, deceit and retribution which I would listen to with wide-eyed attention, seated next to my father and uncles.”

    Restoration work underway

    As per the latest reports, the Peshawar district administration visited Kumar’s house as well as the Kapoor Haveli on Wednesday for a survey and measurements. According to details, the deputy commissioner and revenue staff will determine the value of the land. Both buildings are in dilapidated conditions. While only the outer walls of Kumar’s house remain, the Kapoor Haveli is in a better condition. The owners of the houses had planned to demolish them and build plazas instead but the government has registered cases against the owners and prevented them from tearing them down. Reports have further suggested that the owner of the house has demanded Rs 2 billion for Kumar’s house.

    Kapoor Haveli

    The Archaeology Department has already allocated funds to buy the houses and plans to restore them and convert them into museums are already underway. According to details, the museums will feature biographies and photographs of the actors, their affiliation with Peshawar, along with other records of the two artists and their families.

    Director of KP’s Archeology and Museums Department Dr Abdul Samad said that the plan to restore the Havelis is “part of the Peshawar revival plan.”

    Read more – Rishi Kapoor’s unfulfilled wish: a visit to Pakistan

    Earlier, Kumar’s wife Saira Banu had praised the government’s decision to restore her husband’s childhood home.

    Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu

    “I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. MashAllah,” the actor had said. “My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity. It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that Shah Rukh Khan’s ancestral home is also located in the old city of Peshawar. Khan is reported to have visited the city twice during his childhood.

  • Dilip Kumar’s wife says ‘MashaAllah’ to Pakistan’s efforts to conserve Kumar’s KP home

    Dilip Kumar’s wife says ‘MashaAllah’ to Pakistan’s efforts to conserve Kumar’s KP home

    The wife of Indian actor Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, has expressed her delight about recent reports of his ancestral home being purchased by the government for conservation in  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

    Kumar’s ancestral house is  located at  the Qissa Khwani Bazar and is over 100 years old.

    Saira Banu told the ETimes: “I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. Mashallah.”

    “My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar in northwest Frontier province which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity. It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province,” she added

    Also Read: KP govt allots Rs50 million to restore Kapoor Haveli, other historical buildings

    She said that they visited the house some years ago, and that the actor got emotional as he recalled his childhood memories.

    “The house is of great sentimental value to my husband and I have shared his pride and happiness during a visit to the property some years ago. He was so emotional when he saw the house where he spent his lovely childhood in the comfort and security of a large, refined family.”

    Dilip Kumar is an Indian actor, producer and philanthropist. Kumar is 97 years old and is the only living male actor from Bollywood’s golden era of movies. The actor debuted in 1944 in the film ‘Jwar Bhata’ and has won eight Filmfare awards for the best actor so far.