New Delhi:
Veteran actress Saira Banu recalled famous actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who died on Friday morning.
Saira Banu and Manoj Kumar shared the screen in many films, including Purab and Paschim, Shadi And another. Reversing his time together, he also starred by Krishnan-Panju, working with him at the 1962 film Shaadi, in which Dharmendra also acted.
Sharing her memories on Instagram, Saira Banu gave a heartfelt note about the bond shared with Manoj Kumar and shared with her late husband, prestigious Dilip Kumar with the Karadari.
“Soon after my first film, I began to receive many offers. One of them was a film, which holds a special place in my heart. It was here that I was first associated with Manoj ji. I was then a shy and reserved young girl, and I had a habit of being very strange on the set, especially during romantic scenes.”
She recalls how Manoj Kumar’s cool support helped her feel comfortable on the set.
“But Manoj ji, with his calm understanding and immense grace, would just go away from the set whenever my single shots were being filmed, so I could easily feel. We were both people of some words, but there was a quiet comfort in our working relationship that had no clarification,” he said.
Saira also touched Manoj Kumar’s deep praise for Dilip Kumar, stating that both shared a special bond which expanded beyond films.
“Manoj ji had the deepest praise for our Sahib. The bond he shared together was trying beautiful cooking, new versions of the omelet, flying kites, and attached to Sher-o-Shayari for hours.”
The two actors acted together in the 1968 film Admi, including Wahida Rehman, Simi Garewal and Pran. Saira shared a touching story from the film’s set.
“There is one of the most endurance memory that I often remember with great affection during the creation of Aadmi, Manoj Ji, quite unknowingly, started mimicking Sahib’s methods. Sahib said with a Twinkle in his eye, said softly, ‘Dude, you should do my shots, Main Kuch and Tarak Hoon!” Oh, how we all laughed, it was a moment that was filled with such warmth and comrades. ,
Recalling his time on Purba and Paschim, which was built and directed by Manoj Kumar, he reflected on a particularly emotional chapter from his life.
“Sahib and I mutually decided that I would not continue my film career after my marriage. But before our marriage, I had already signed Purba and Paschim, in which I was playing the role of a western girl contrary to Manoj ji. When the subject came, Manoj ji was clear and firm that he would not allow the project to be fully completed.”
“And later, during the filming, when I became severely unwell, Sahib himself told Manoj ji that we would fully understand if he had to change me. But Manoj ji, in a gesture, I will never forget, said slowly, ‘I have said firmly’ I still said ‘I put someone else in Saira’s place.” How does that rare kind of loyalty, respect and affection start thanking anyone for this? ” she wrote.
Born to Harikrishna Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) on July 24, 1937, Manoj Kumar became a huge man in Indian cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Known as “Bharat Kumar”, he was known for his stirring performance in patriotic films like Shaheed, Cess and Purba and Paschim.
Beyond acting, Manoj Kumar left an impression as a director and producer. His debut as a director with Cess (1967) earned the National Film Award for the second best feature film. He directed other acclaimed and successful films like Purba and Paschim (1970) and Roti Capada and House (1974).
