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Veteran actress Saira Banu is a phenomenal face of the Hindi cinema. She is known for her exceptional performance and acting skills. The actress is quite active on social media and often seems to share many such insights from her life.
Talking about one such incident, Saira Banu expressed her love for sarees, calling it the “most beautiful dress in the world.” The actress shared a few snaps, which showcased her in sarees. She wrote, “As a child, I was much of a tree-climbing tomboy but even then, I was fascinated by the drape of Appaji’s beautiful ensembles in the sarees she wore. I was hardly 13 or 14 when Appaji sent letters to London along with goodies, where she once sent me a Saree on my request. A saree is the most beautiful dress in the world accentuating a woman’s femininity, and grace, as well as emphasising her oomph!”
Saira Banu shared one such incident when she was gifted with a saree. Reminiscing the moment, she stated, “With gifts that would come, once came a beautiful white and gold Banarasi saree trimmed with bright red. Of course, I rushed at it trying to drape it and pounced on it, Goodness knows how! I was crestfallen because it slipped here and there until Sultan Bhai and Ammaji helped. As I draped it, I was bashful wearing it and Sultan Bhai took pictures of me blushing away to glory, clutching the saree like a wooden peg, and wearing dangling earrings to complete the look!”
The actress further recollected how she wore the most gorgeous saree to impress Dilip Kumar. “During the holidays, we were invited to the premiere of Mughal-E-Azam and I badgered my mother to dish out the most gorgeous saree. My idea was to make Sahib [Dilip Kumar] notice me, the selected saree was so heavy that I was swinging back and forth, hanging on for dear life, But Oh! Guess What Happened? My six-days preparations of beauteous efforts at my face, skin, and long lustrous hair went in vain as Sahib absconded from the premiere.”
She spoke about how she elevated her exposure to sarees. This particular love for sarees also brought about the newest trend in the fashion industry. Saira Banu said, “Slowly I became a pro since my mother brought a revolution in saree wear designed out of Crepe Silk and Hand Embroidery like the one I wore in my film Aayi Milan Ki Bela and the song Bura Maan Gaye and Tumhein Kya Doon Main Dil Kay Sivay. These sarees became “Saira Banu Aaye Milan Ki Bela Sarees” starting the newest trend. Later, the “Forest Sprite Saree” in Shagird became a rage! People stopped my car in busy streets to scream “Aiyyaa”, the famous refrain in Shagird.”
The actress further expressed how her husband Dilip Kumar brought a new touch to her love for sarees, “After marrying Sahib, from the Crepe Sarees, I was persuaded by him to wear fluffier fabrics like Organza and Organdy as he laughingly ventured that Pathan’s “Biwi” should look quite substantial to hold! I was quite slim when I married him and there was a change of colour in my wardrobe that he preferred from Whites to Off Whites, Creamy and Beige. I am still all for Whites and Off Whites.”
