Saira Banu Birthday Special; Know why Bollywood's one of the finest actress decided to leave cinema

If we recall the era of classic Bollywood, Saira Banu is one of the most common name that pop up in our heads. The astonishing actress who has contributed immensely to the realm of Indian cinema has turned 79 on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. The actress who has worked in Hindi cinema precisely is often regarded as a finest artists of her age and ruled the Indian film industry during 60s and early 70's. On the occasion of her birthday, here's a special coverage on Saira Banu and her life. Continue reading reading below to have the answer for why she opted to step out the glitzy world of Bollywood. 

Breakthrough in Cinema

Saira Banu was born on August 23, 1944 in Mussoorie in the household of actress Naseem Banu and film producer Mian Ehsan-ul-Haq. Belonging from a filmy family, she had her early access into the glamorous industry and started working at a very young age, at 16 to be precise. She was a professional dancer who was trained in forms of Kathak and Bharat Natyam. Soon the 'destined-to-be' actress made her acting debut in 1961 through the movie 'Junglee' opposite to Shammi Kapoor and instantly earned nomination of the 'Filmfare Award for Best Actress'. That's quite an achievement, isn't it? 

Career in early 60's

Ever since, she started giving her back-to-back filmy contribution and made a world of her own. 60's was the era when she outshone her acting caliber, while Junglee was just a starting. Her best known works from the 1960's include Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964) with Rajendra Kumar, April Fool (1964) along-side Biswajit Chatterjee, Aao Pyaar Karen (1964), and Shagird (1967) with Joy Mukherjee and she also appeared in Pyar Mohabbat with Dev Anand (1966).

Post marriage career!

Soon after her early 60's contribution, she tied her wedding knot with actor Dilip Kumar in 1966 and started living her married life in Bandra. But here marriage did not stop Saira to stop acting. Even post marriage, she kept on giving super hit projects for next several years. 'Aman' opposite to Rajendra Kumar was her first film after marriage which released in 1967. In 1968, movie 'Padosan' gave her the top tier league played along with actor Sunil Dutt. Then comes, 'Victoria No. 203' with Navin Nischol which turned as her biggest hit. She acted along numerous other big stars such as Dharmendra in six films(Jwar Bhata, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Resham Ki Dori, Pocket Maar, International Crook and Chaitali) and 3 movies with her husband namely Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag.

Why she left Bollywood?

However even after such a successful and raising fame in career, she soon vanished behind the limelight and glamour as she was believed to be made of. The actress after having done this many accolades worthy classic cults made the decision to devote her personal life and her husband more time. It was not just under pressure she opted such a decision, rather it is what she decided. She devoured her entire life post marriage to her husband not because she was suppose to but because she wanted to, revealed by the actress herself. Saira's courage to not get swooped by the cursed world was her biggest strength indeed! 

- PTC PUNJABI