Saira Banu reveals Dilip Kumar suffered from severe insomnia: ‘Even after taking pills, he’d remain awake until dawn'

Saira Banu penned a long note on her late husband and legendary actor Dilip Kumar's third death anniversary. She had many interesting anecdotes to share.

It's been three years since thespian Dilip Kumar breathed his last. On the occasion of his third death anniversary, his wife and former co-star Saira Banu penned a long note on Instagram, narrating a couple of anecdotes, and revealing that the legendary actor “suffered from sever insomnia.” (Also Read – Shekhar Suman compares himself with Dilip Kumar and Aamir Khan: 'No point getting steeped into mediocrity')

What Saira said

Saira Banu penned a long note on Dilip Kumar's 3rd death anniversary

“You see, Sahib (Dilip Kumar) was the greatest actor of all time. He had absolutely everything at his disposal, yet not many people know that he suffered from severe insomnia. Before our marriage, even after taking pills, he would remain awake until dawn. However, once we got married and became indispensable to each other, he started sleeping just in time. He even gave me a cute nickname, endearingly saying, ‘Saira, you are my sleeping pill, you are my pillow.’ To this day, I burst into laughter remembering the charm with which he would say it,” Saira wrote.

"There was another memorable incident when he wrote me a note. He had a deep appreciation for music and would often have a whole Darbar set up in our home, witnessing the magic created by the artists. Sahib, ever so efficiently, would often sneak away from the Darbar to get some sleep. On one such evening, despite managing to sneak away, he found himself unable to sleep without me. So, he penned a note saying, “Feeling sleepy, what do you suggest, Aunty? ...Yours 100%,” added Saira. She shared a picture of the note along with the caption.

About Saira and Dilip

Born on December 11, 1922, Dilip Kumar started his acting career with the 1944 movie Jwar Bhata. Later, he was seen in Jugnu, Andaz, Aan, Daag, Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Kohinoor, Mughal-E-Azam, Gunga Jumna and Naya Daur, among others. He passed away on 7 July 2021.

On the work front, Saira Banu made her acting debut in 1961 with Junglee opposite Shammi Kapoor, for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination. She received three more Best Actress nominations for Shagird (1967), Diwana (1967) and Sagina (1974). Banu went on to work in a number of movies including Bluff Master (1963), Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968), Padosan (1968), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Hera Pheri (1976) and Bairaag (1976).