Saira Banu is known to share several unseen photos and anecdotes from the yesteryears of Bollywood. Today, on the occasion of veteran actor Sunil Dutt’s birthday, the actress dug into her archives to share unseen photos of herself and her husband with the late actor. Along with the photos, she also penned a long note talking about the films she featured in with Dutt. 

Saira Banu pens an emotional note for Sunil Dutt

On June 6, Saira Banu took to her Instagram account to share a series of photos featuring herself, her husband and late actor Sunil Dutt. The actress also shared photos from the sets of the movies she starred with the actor in. Along with the photo, she wrote. “Dilip Sahib and Dutt Sahab shared a friendship that was more like family. They were always there for each other through thick and thin. Whenever one of them faced a challenge, the other was right by his side, offering support and encouragement. Despite their iconic status and luxurious lives, Dilip Sahib and Dutt Sahab never turned a blind eye to the struggles of their fellow members in the film fraternity. They were always at the forefront, burning the midnight oil together, whether it was tackling industry-wide issues or facing crises head-on. Their dedication knew no bounds, whether it meant discussing solutions at three or four in the morning.”

She specifically mentioned the time when they were shooting for the film Nehle Pe Dehla. She recalled Sunil Dutt being her neighbour and the movie being shot nearby. The actress continued, “Now, there is an interesting episode during the making of “NEHLE PE DEHLA” with Dutt Sahab at his bungalow. Coincidentally, we were immediate neighbours. My make-up room was on the 3rd-floor terrace of the bungalow, from where I could see the activity of the “NEHLE PE DEHLA” unit buzzing on. I would walk across the gate, go, and give my shot. When the shooting started and whenever my shot was ready, the Assistant Director would whistle so that I could come and give my shot.” 

Saira Banu recalls the first time she shared the screen with Sunil Dutt 

In the same post, Saira shared that the actors got several offers to work in films together but nothing materialised. She shared, “When Dilip Sahib saw this constant buzzing of the whistle, he laughingly suggested that a bridge should be built across the two walls for me to quickly go across into the shooting instead of walking the slope. Ever since we first met, Dutt Sahab and I were offered many films together, especially from the South, but unfortunately, the projects never materialized. Eventually, when we were doing “PADOSAN,” Sunil Dutt raised his hands in dismay and exclaimed, “Sairaji, what is this? We are doing such comedy together whereas we both should have starred in a magnificent romantic subject such as ‘Anthony & Cleopatra’!”

She then added, “He was such a comedian that whenever we had to do any romantic scenes in “NEHLE PE DEHLA,” which was a very glamorous film for me, Sunil Dutt would share the romantic shot with me but first tease me by calling out to his assistants, “Aarey Bhai! Hum log romantic scene karney waley hain, toh sabsey pehley ek plate main achchi pyaaz laao. Let us start the scene with eating onions.” He was such a brat!” She concluded the note by extending birthday wishes to the late actor.