Vyjayanthimala remembers Madhumati costar Dilip Kumar; reveals Saira Banu called them the ‘best team’

Veteran actress Vyjayanthimala recalled working with late Dilip Kumar, and how he helped her out during the making of their 1961 film, Gunga Jumna. She also shared that Dilip’s wife, actress Saira Banu, said that Vyjayanthimala and Dilip ‘make the best team’. The two actors have worked in eight Hindi films including Devdas, Naya Daur and Madhumati. Kumar died on Wednesday at the age of 98, after a prolonged illness. On Wednesday evening, he was laid to rest with full state honours at the Juhu Qabrastan in Santacruz, Mumbai, in the presence of his family. He is survived by Saira Banu.

Speaking to Pinkvilla, Vyjayanthimala said, “(We have worked) very closely, and in quite a number of films – eight films, that is quite a lot to work with one hero, and for him also one heroine he worked maximum with. We combined well, our films became good hits, and we became a good team. That’s what Saira always says… she calls me Akka which means sister in Tamil. She says ‘Akka you and Dilip Saab make the best team’. We made some quite successful hit films.”

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She further recalled, “In Gunga Jumna, where I had to speak Bhojpuri – first of all a South Indian speaking good Hindi without the accent was something, and on top of that to speak Bhojpuri, but he was a great help. He helped me a lot to speak and even recorded dialogues for me. It was a wonderful character to play and I was greatly helped by Dilip Saab. I got an award also for that. He was very polite, gentlemanly, and very well behaved. He had no airs, and never threw his weight around.”

After Dilip Kumar’s death, Vyjayanthimala had told news agency ANI, “It’s absolutely devastating and I have no words to say. Having worked with Dilip Saab in several successful films, he and Saira were almost like a family. Even after leaving films, every time I would go to Mumbai, Saira would always send me a car to come to their house and spend some time.”

Dilip Kumar worked with Vyjayanthimala in films like Devdas, Naya Daur and Madhumati. The beautifully picturized song, Maang Ke Saath Tumhara from Naya Daur is still remembered vividly for its beautiful melody and the chemistry between them. The way Dilip Kumar sings to Vyjayanthimala and charms her while riding a bullock cart is why we love their on screen chemistry.

Also Read: Saira Banu thanks PM Modi for his ‘early morning gracious phone call’ after Dilip Kumar’s demise