Dilip Kumar’s autobiography: A sneak peek

Saira Banu’s persistence plea enabled Uday Tara Nair to pen down the autobiography of the Thespian Dilip Kumar.- ” It took almost 10 years to complete the biography of Dilip Saab”. I was keen on him narrating his own journey in this one life time that we are bestowed upon by the almighty God .Also we have heard and read stories about Dilip Saab, but hearing/reading from his own experience will bring up the actual facts. Dilip Saab’s Autobiography release today- feels as a long cherished dream of mine has come true.”Says Saira Banu

Updating about his childhood/youth hood days she quips,” The book has a distinct mention about his birth in the undivided India then….He was born in Peshawar. He spent his youth hood in Deolali in Maharashtra. From there he joined the British Army Club in Pune. He earned his living by setting up a sandwich stall .He studied in Anjuman Islam School in Mumbai and finished his college from Khalsa.Here he met Raj Kapoor who was also studying with him. Thereafter he rose to stardom by his entry into the Bombay Talkies. Yousaf Khan’s [Dilip Kumar] entered into the filmy arena with Jwar Bhata in 1944 and hereafter there has been no looking back for this thespian who rules the generation of three decades.”

Gushing all praises for Dilip Saab’s professional attitude this is also mentioned in the book she adds,” With his first hit film,” Jugnu”[1947]He started grabbing the mantra of making successful films. He would sit down and study the secrets of making films successfully practically by his own observations. During that time also he was graciously involved in the promotional activities as well. He opined that the actor’s responsibilities’ did not end by finishing their acting part in the film. The stake of quality work as well the responsibility of an actor was met by him ,with his own imagination and promotional style in a dignified manner without resorting to any cheap publicity he managed to attract the audiences . He would say,” I have never over sold myself consciously or overexposed myself to the audiences.”

Adding more on his working pattern Saira says,"In those days Dilip Saab would work only in one film, in one year. Now he tells us,[extract from the book the book] “Reminiscing the past I feel it was so risky working just in one film per year. All my contemporaries would have more that 2 or 3 films. I did so only because I confided in the subject I chose. Also I never felt over selling would be good. People could reach the point of satiety watching me again and again.”

Turning pink she adds,” Everyone knows that I was madly in love with him from the age of 12. I keep gushing my love for him even today. But he being a thorough gentleman has never expressed his love for me. Similar is the case with all his ladies he worked with right from Madhubala and more. They were beautiful respected ladies.Dilip Sahab always respected and has a lot of regards for them. To know more about Madhubala and his ladies you will have to read the book.”

Talking about their present day life she says,” We do have a lot many things to perform on par with our daily coarse. But yet we do spend time with many friends from outside the industry. They come to visit us regularly and chatting with them the time flies away. Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan are like our “Bachchas.” Aamir visits us quiet often while SRK visits us occasionally. Salman and Salim Saab come to our house some time. We have not been keeping too well thus we have not attended many events. “

On their daily routine she quips,” Dilip Saab and I watch sports channel-Football and Cricket as well. We are fond of poetries and so we also attend Kavi sammelean's at times. Also watch the poetry shows on television. Music is something which is close to our hearts and so we also hear songs of today as well the yester-year melodious numbers to keep pepped up.”

Last but not the least- keeping their marriage intact she adds,” Its love that keeps you going. While you love somebody and get married you should never cease loving your other half. I feel marriage is the union of two souls and after you have tied the knot you should make that knot tighter. Never let it loosen…..You need to sacrifice; love needs to be very much commanded in totality. Marriage is a serious affair; if you can’t keep your marriage going then why gets married??

Dilip Saab’s autobiography releases on 9^th June, 2014…..the pains taking and meticulous efforts of penning down the tale of Dilip Saab which started in 2004. It finally gets completed and is ready for release on June 2014, with the sincere and patient efforts of the author none other than Udaya Tara Nair.