Saira Banu fondly remembered late actor Vinod Khanna on his birth anniversary and shared a heartfelt incident about him on social media.
Saira’s Instagram post
Saira took to Instagram and shared an incident when Vinod Khanna once 'disappeared somewhere' while rehearsing for a film, when Dilip Kumar visited their studio. Saira wrote, "Vinod loved Sahib incredibly. He was a very thoughtful man. Once, he and I were shooting at Natraj Studios for Guru Dutt's film AAROP directed by Atmaramji."
She added that on the same day Dilip Kumar was headed to airport and she had requested him to stop by the Studio. Saira wrote that she was rehearsing with Johnny Walker, and Vinod. But when Dilip kumar arrived, Vinod ‘disappeared somewhere.’
Vinod deeply admired Dilip Kumar
Saira also recalled how Vinod took a long time to return back to the sets and when he returned, Dilip had already left. When Saira asked Vinod what took him so long, he replied, 'Oh! Boy! Do you think I can act and perform while Dilipji, 'The Master Of Acting' is watching? I would be shaking with nervousness! So I absconded!'"
Vinod was a chivalrous man
Saira also shared how the legendary actor would make sure that all female actors working with him reached home safely. Calling him a chivalrous man, she also recounted an incident where he waited for her car to arrive and then left the sets.
Vinod became a disciple of Osho
The veteran actor also shared that when Vinod was at the peak of his career, he became a disciple of Osho and wanted to take a break from films to follow his Guru. Saira shared that she told him, "You are one of the brightest stars of today and everyone knows you will scale tremendous heights in your career. You are too promising. Please don’t go. Why are you intending to take this hiatus?"
Saira concluded the post, "I remember it was a joy to see him and his wife Geetanjali while we shot outdoors at Lonavala, all of us lived together and had fun times. Later on, when he married Kavita, his second wife, they always visited us on occasions, particularly on our Silver Wedding Anniversary and mingled so wonderfully as one of our own family. We miss him!"