Veteran actor Saira Banu’s Instagram account is a treasure trove, where she often shares anecdotes from the life of her late husband, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. Recently, she recalled a rift between Dilip and fellow actor Vyjayanthimala on the set of Ram Aur Shyam, which led to Vyjayanthimala being replaced in the film. Saira shared this memory on the occasion of Vyjayanthimala’s 91st birthday and revealed how she acted as a bridge between the two actors, helping them reconcile their differences.
Saira expressed her fondness for Vyjayanthimala, who she affectionately called ‘Akka,’ meaning elder sister in Tamil. She shared throwback photos of her and Dilip with Vyjayanthimala and penned a lengthy note explaining the relationship between the two co-stars. The actor wrote, “There was a certain understanding between Sahib and Akka, and the onscreen chemistry worked in their favour. Akka once quoted that she learned a lot working with Sahib; it was amazing watching him sink into a character and become oblivious of all else.”
She went on to share the misunderstanding that occurred between Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, stating, “However, once there came an unfortunate misunderstanding between them, and somehow, after shooting for ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ for a few days, she was replaced.”
Saira Banu also explained how she helped the two patch things up. She wrote, “Sahib and Akka, along with her husband Dr. Bali, would keep running into each other in Delhi at functions and celebration dinners. During one such meeting, the four of us met. Sahib and Dr. Bali sat together and chatted merrily, whereas Akka and I huddled and talked. This went on for a while, and each of them would avoid meeting the other’s gaze until I got fed up and brought the two of them together to patch up as friends again. That was quite a feat!”
The actor added, “After this smooth sailing, Akka and her son Suchendra would always visit us at home whenever travelling from Madras. Once, there was a complicated issue troubling both of them for a long time, and Sahib and I, with sheer good luck, managed to solve that complex situation completely. Ever since, Vyjayantimala labelled me as her ‘angel,’ and as for me, Vyjayantimala turned into Akka.”
Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala shared the screen in seven films, including iconic movies like Gunga Jumna, Naya Daur, and Devdas.
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