Watching the beautiful Saira Banu dotingly tend to her husband of many decades years, it’s difficult to imagine that this love story started off as almost a second choice, compared to the passionate saga that was the Dilip Kumar-Madhubala love ballad.
“I must admit that I was attracted to her (Madhubala) both as a fine co-star and as a person who had some of the attributes I hoped to find in a woman at that age and time,” the thespian shared in his autobiography.
“She, as I said earlier, was very sprightly and vivacious and, as such, she could draw me out of my shyness and reticence effortlessly.” In short, the couple was smitten, from the time they worked together in TARANA (1951) right until the time of Madhu’s father’s attempt to “make the proposed marriage a business venture” as Dilip Kumar chillingly put it.
They never did reach the ‘Qubool’ stage. When a 44-year-old Yusuf sa’ab went on to wed the 22-year-old Saira Banu, the union didn’t seem too promising. Who would have imagined they would see more than half a century of devoted togetherness? “He is my sartaaj... as you all say, he is my 'pati parmeshwar'. I am a traditional woman by heart and Dilip sa’ab is supreme to me,” Saira has sworn.
When Kareena Kapoor called off her relationship with Shahid Kapoor, it sent shockwaves through the industry and fans tripping on their adorable chemistry in JAB WE MET. How could they?? In hindsight though the breakup seems like the best thing to have happened to the couple who have moved on separately to be part of successful marriages.
The free-spirited Bebo and the inherently traditional Shahid would probably have had to contend with serious personality issues had they actually tied the knot. The reality today sees the product of filmland’s first family swept away by her blue-blooded Nawab and his polished ways and their annual winter vacations at luxurious Swiss ski resort Gstaad… even as Shahid’s arranged marriage bride Meera Rajput provides him the simplicity that he has perhaps always yearned for.
Matches made in heaven, by the looks of it, and both the product of jab they split!
There really is no formula, no pre-set pattern where matters of the heart are concerned. No one in their wildest dreams would ever have paired Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar together, for instance. She, classy, elegant, distinctly upper-crust in her tastes and views.
He, a colourful Bollywood dude, canny when it came to fiscal matters but with no highbrow pretensions in the least. And yet, when Akki’s much talked about serious relationship with Raveena Tandon followed by a fervent romance with Shilpa Shetty had run their course, it was Dimple and Rajesh Khanna’s daughter who saw him happily hanging up the condom. It is Twinkle, with her quirky sense of humour, her penchant for telling it like it is, her proficiency at interior design combined with her newfound writer status, who makes for one swell missus for the reformed rake.
Take heart, heartbroken. There could be a better brand new love just around the corner. And if there isn’t, well, there’s always that second bar of chocolate!
