Saira Banu recalls Kamini Kaushal's 'affectionate calls' with Dilip Kumar

Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal widely recognised as Indias oldest living actress died at the age of 98 According to reports she had been suffering from health concerns related to her age Days after her passing Saira Banu shared fond memories with Kamini Kaushal and her bond with Dilip KumarSaira Banus pens her memories of Kamini KaushalSharing a carousel post featuring a still of herself with Kamini Kaushal from their movie to Kaushals pictures with Dilip Kumar the post comprised them allSharing a story Saira wrote ldquoWhile the whole internet grieved over Uma Jirsquos passing I found myself wondering what can one possibly say about a woman so rare and so ahead of her time In an era when so few women entered cinema with the grace of a truly cultured upbringing Kamini Kaushal our beloved Uma ji stood apartShe brought with her not just beauty but a literary mind and a refinement that was unmistakably her own She belonged to that gentle world of books poetry and thoughtfulness and she carried it into her work in a way that elevated her presence Sharing an anecdote of Kamini and late superstar Dilip Kumar Banu mentioned ldquoI still remember how Dilip Sahib always spoke of her with deep respect He admired that she came from a literary family and that her conversations were enriched with ideas far beyond the world of films For him Umaji was someone who brought a certain rare substance to the studios a woman who could speak of cinema and yet transcend it with easerdquoView this post on InstagramA post shared by Saira Banu Khan sairabanuShe added ldquoMy own journey with her began in the most unexpected way during my water ballet training for April Fool I had to jump from a great height and when I completed the activity and came down there she was She immediately said to me ldquoYou know Saira I couldnrsquot have done what you just didhellip How did you do itrdquo From that very first meeting I held her in genuine respect and I remained courteous to her always not out of obligation but out of admirationrdquo Saira further mentioned how Kamini would call Dilip Kumar to seek adviceldquoI still remember the affectionate phone calls she would make asking Sahib to meet people who wished to see him I would ensure that I took really good care of those guests who visited our home from different corners of the country and the world She used to call Sahib to seek his advice on various matters or simply to talk and I always handed the phone over to himrdquoAbout Kamini and Dilips relationshipFor the uninitiated Kamini Kaushal whose original name was Uma Kaushal had once reflected on her past relationship with legendary actor Dilip Kumar in her memoir She had offered a candid glimpse into the personal experiences that shaped her life The actress had also opened up about parting ways with the legendary actor In her biography Kamini spoke about how both she and Dilip Kumar were heartbroken when they parted waysYears later Dilip reflected on his first heartbreak in Bunny Reubenrsquos biography ldquoDilip Kumar ndash Star Legend of Indian Cinemardquo He recalled that moment by saying ldquoShe Kamini was the only one with whom I achieved total identification I think everybody falls in love only once lsquoAgainrsquo ndash if there is an lsquoagainrsquo ndash is merely an imitation of the brilliant flame the blinding light the days of trance the nights of impatience and waiting and days of such happiness that one cannot believe they will lastrdquoIt had been reported that Kamini Kaushal was the first love of Dilip Kumar The legendary actors shared the screen in three films Shaheed Shabnam and Nadiya Ke Paar While Dilip Kumar never openly spoke about his feelings renowned novelist Ismat Chughtai had revealed that he was deeply in love with Kamini