Saturday, 05 October 2024
Saturday, 05 October 2024
Bollywood veteran Saira Banu celebrated her 80th birthday with her family members and friends, including Farida Jalal, on Friday. Take a look.
Saira opted for two outfits — an olive green salwar suit for the celebrations and a blue embroidered three-piece suit set — for the occasion. “I believe it’s in the company of your own people, people who love you. I consider myself blessed, graced by the affection and support of my family and friends,” she wrote in a long note on social media, expressing her gratitude to friends and family.
The actress, who turned 80 on August 25, posed for a picture at the dinner table with her friends and family. She thanked her nephew who “made a special effort to be in Mumbai” and her grandnieces who “masterminded the whole event by filling my house with beautiful decorations and glowing happiness”.
Saira also shared a picture with Farida with whom she starred in the 1970 film Gopi and the 1976 film Koi Jeeta Koi Haara. “I’m also grateful for my friends who bring joy to my life - Dr Meera Agarwal, Farida Jalal (the exceptionally wonderful actor and my great friend), her son Yaseen, my dear friends Mani Talati and Mehfooza, her daughter Shaista, Azra Lokhandwala Ji, and @moinbeg (who conceptualized the marvelous Heeramandi). Blessed to have them all around to make my day and life a happening one,” she added.
The veteran actress, who last appeared in 1988’s Faisla, posed for the lens with her birthday cake. Her social media is a treasure trove of old Bollywood tales and anecdotes about her married life with the late Dilip Lumar. Despite a 22-year age gap — they got married when Kumar was 44 and Saira only 22 — the couple stayed together for 55 years before Kumar’s passing in 2021.
“So, how does one measure life? While there are many ways, I believe the truest measure is found in a room filled with family and friends, a table set with lots of food, and an invisible thread called love. Thank goodness for family and friends,” Saira concluded her note, giving a nod to the people close to her heart.
