When Madhubala Asked Ex-Lover Dilip Kumar To Meet Her After Marrying Saira Banu: 'Was Pained To See That...'

Before Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu, he was in love with Madhubala. Madhubala and Dilip Kumar started dating while filming Tarana and even planned on marrying each other. However, the actress’ father did not approve of their relationship. They broke up while filming Mughal-e-Azam but shared a special bond. Dilip Kumar recalled how Madhubala insisted on meeting him soon after he got married to Saira Banu.

In his memoir, The Substance And The Shadow: An Autobiography, Dilip Kumar recalled how Madhubala wanted to meet the actor after he got married. He informed Saira Banu about this and instead of getting flustered, she insisted that the two meet. Dilip Kumar wrote that Saira Banu’s quality of not dwelling over the past impressed him.

He detailed the incident and wrote, “Soon after our nikah (marriage), while we were staying in Madras, I received a message from Madhubala that she wished to see me urgently. I confided in Saira as soon as we returned to Bombay about the message. Saira at once insisted that I should meet Madhu since it must be something she was distressed about.”

Dilip Kumar recalled meeting Madhubala at her house and said she looked weak. “When I went to Madhu’s home, I was pained to see that she was frail and looked very weak. The pallor on her face not only belied her ill health, but her magnificent, impish smile seemed such an effort. She was happy to see me and said: ‘Hamare shehzade ko unki shehzadi mil gayi hai, main bahut khush hoon!’ (Our prince has got his princess, I am very happy),” he wrote.

Madhubala wanted Dilip Kumar’s advice on some personal matters. This was also the last time that two former lovers met. He wrote, “She was worried about some personal matters that she needed my advice on and we discussed them until she was somewhat satisfied that they could be sorted out. She then relaxed. That was the last time I saw her. She passed away on 23 February 1969.”

Madhubala married Kishore Kumar in 1960 but it wasn’t a smooth-sailing marriage. Nine years later, the legendary actress passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 36.