Vyjayanthimala celebrates her 91st birthday today and Saira Banu has penned a long note sharing several anecdotes involving the birthday girl. The latter is home to several previously unheard stories on her social media and today (August 13), Saira remembered her “favourite Padma Vibhushan, Vyjayantimalaji (Akka-Elder sister)” on her birthday. In a long note followed by Banu, she revealed why she calls her Akka.
Saira’s message began with her recalling her first memory of Vyjayanthimala when she visited Mehboob Studios with her mother. Then little Saira happened to catch a glimpse of Vyjayanthimala singing a song number from Radha Krishna in a beautiful ghagra choli. Cut to their next encounter was when Saira sang Junglee.
“She saw me at a film premiere and touched my cheek lovingly and said ‘beautiful’. I don’t think I washed my face that week!” said Saira, adding that she always loved her husband Dilip Kumar’s collaboration with Vyjayanthimala. Among the numerous hits the screen couple delivered, Saira admits that her favourite remains the cult classic Gunga Jumna.
Banu added, “She did a great job as Dhanno and Sahib worked very hard on her diction to record the Purbi dialogues with the right pronunciation and dialect.” The 79-year-old said that Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala got along great, which made their on-screen chemistry very popular.
But then came the time when Vyjayanthimala was replaced by Ram Aur Shyam after a few days of shooting, which led to her distancing herself from Kumar. Saira revealed that time passed and Dilip Kumar and Chamanlal Bali often met at functions and banquets in Delhi, at one of which four of them happened to reunite. “Sahib and Dr. Bali would sit together and chat happily while Akka and I would huddle together and talk.
This went on for a while and each of them avoided looking each other in the eyes until I got fed up and brought them back together to reconcile as friends. That was quite an achievement!” said Banu. The Padosan actress also revealed that even in difficult times, their families continue to stick together and be there for each other. “Ever since Vyjayantimala called me her ‘angel’, Vyjayantimala has turned into Akka,” concluded Saira.
ALSO READ: Manoj Kumar turns 87: Saira Banu reveals the veteran star said he would shelve ‘Purab Aur Pachhim’ if Dilip Kumar did not allow her to act in it
