The most precious birthday gift Bollywood veteran Saira Banu ever received was a heartfelt compliment from her husband, the late actor Dilip Kumar, when she turned 22, she revealed in a note on her 80th birthday on Friday, recalling the onset of her love story.

“The most precious gift I’ve ever received? A heartfelt compliment from Dilip Kumar that changed my life forever! On a magical evening at my home, he walked in, held my hand, and said, ‘My, you have grown up into a beautiful girl.’ Time stood still. Little did I know, it was the start of our beautiful love story,” wrote Saira on Instagram, recounting how Dilip had flown in from Madras to surprise her on her special day.

Saira also shared that her birthday that year had coincided with the housewarming of her family’s new home, which they had very thoughtfully built near Dilip’s. “On August 23rd, 1966, we celebrated my birthday and the housewarming of our new home, thoughtfully chosen and built near Dilip Sahib’s house. Among many options, we selected this location to be close to him, unknowingly paving the way for our future together. He surprised me by flying in from Madras, and his words sparked a bond that would last a lifetime,” wrote the actress in a long note.

Expressing her gratitude for her bond with her husband, Saira wrote, “From wide-eyed fan to devoted wife, I’ve been fortunate to experience the many facets of this incredible human being. His understated elegance and kindness have touched my heart in ways I never thought possible.”

Saira also expressed her gratitude to her grandmother, Shamshad Waheed Khan, her mother, Pari Chehra Naseem Banuji, and her elder brother, Sultan, for their abundant love and support throughout her life. “Their blessings and values have shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m forever grateful,” she added.

Saira went on to thank all those who have showered her with affection over the years. “Today, as I celebrate another birthday, I’m overwhelmed with love and gratitude from kind-hearted people who have showered me with affection,” she wrote.

Saira reflected on her undying memories with Dilip and how she always yearns for his presence. “Yet, amidst the joy, my heart yearns for the one person who made every day feel like a celebration – Dilip Sahib. I wish he were here to hold my hand, smile at me, and make this day unforgettable,” she stated.

“Though he’s not physically present, his love and legacy live on in my heart. I’m grateful for our time together and cherish the memories we created. This birthday, I look forward to reliving them forever by sharing stories of my beloved with you all through my Instagram page,” the actress signed off.

The carousel Saira shared also features a collection of throwback pictures from her youth and childhood, along with photos from her birthday celebrations with her husband.

Saira, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Shammi Kapoor in the 1961 film Junglee, married Dilip on October 11, 1966, when she was only 22 years old. The actress starred alongside her husband in several films, such as Gopi (1970), Sagina Mahato (1971), and Jwaar Bhata (1973).

Dilip passed away on July 7, 2021, at the age of 98.