Saira Banu recalls bond between Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
Saira Banu recalls bond between Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar
On Tuesday 6 February was the 1st Death Anniversary of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.
On this occasion, veteran actor Saira Banu recalled the singer Lata Mangeshkar‘s first death anniversary and the bond Lata Mangeshkar shared with Dilip Kumar. Saira also narrated an incident from 1974 when Dilip introduced Lata as his sister in London.
Over an interaction with the paps, Saira said, Lata has been her voice totally in films. She was fortunate that Lata lent her voice to Saira in the Shammi Kapoor starrer ‘Junglee’ She recorded first song
‘Ja Ja Ja Mere Bachpan’.
Saira recalled her interview a couple of years later, and when asked which heroine she thought her voice suited the most, Lata ji replied, ‘Saira Banu’. She literally fell off from a chair.
About Dilip and Lata’s close equation, Saira asserted that
It was a different scenario at that time. Both of them would travel together in the same train for work. They were like brother sister.
Saira Banu further recalled an incident at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1974 when Lata Mangeshkar emerged as the first Indian to perform live at the venue. It was Dilip saab who introduced her on stage –
‘Yeh meri chhoti si behen.’ ‘Bauhaut hi mukhtasar si (it means small, doll-like)’ Then she sang. It was historical.
Saira further added that the trio were in constant touch with each other till the very end of their respective lives.
She revealed that they shared with each other the minutest details and would also get into the details about their health, doctor and medicines.
Saira further said she is upset because she will not be able to attend an event marking Lata Mangeshkar’s first death anniversary. She has been advised by her doctors to be on complete rest and not go outside. She would have loved to be there at this event..
News Input K.V.Raman
