Celebrating Dilip Kumar-Saira Banu's Love Story: In Pictures

As veteran actress Saira Banu reminisces about her most memorable moments with Dilip Kumar on their anniversary that falls on Oct 11, here's taking a look at their love-story

Instagram: Saira Banu

The Padosan actress first met Kumar as a 12-year old fan

Instagram: Saira Banu

Initially, the actress struggled hard to win Kumar's approval, following her debut in Junglee. It's said that despite the interest of the makers to cast her in Ram Aur Shyam and Sangharsh, the senior actor had rejected her

Instagram: Saira Banu

They first met at Banu's housewarming party where Kumar flew down to Mumbai from erstwhile Madras while filming Ram Aur Shyam

Instagram: Saira Banu

Within a week of the said meeting, Kumar popped the question and Banu readily agreed

Instagram: Saira Banu

Although both actors had a massive age gap of 22 years, their marriage survived the test of time including a failed pregnancy and Kumar's alleged marriage to Asma Rehman, which almost soured their love story

Instagram: Saira Banu

Banu loved him inexplicably despite his countless admirers who would go to extreme measures to profess their love for the actor

Instagram: Saira Banu

Many aren't aware but Banu always prayed for Madhubala's soul to rest in peace, despite the Mughal-E-Azam actor's bitter affair with Kumar. She eventually brokered peace between Kumar and his ex Vyjayanthimala. Till date Banu addresses the latter as Akka (elder sister)

Instagram: Saira Banu