Manoj Kumar Birthday: Co-star Saira Banu posts about memorable films she did with the actor

In Pic: Saira Banu and Manoj Kumar

Actress Saira Banu, shared a special post on veteran actor Manoj Kumar's 86th birthday, recalling the times they have shared screen space. The two actors have appeared in a number of films, including ‘Shaadi', ‘Balidaan', and, most notably, ‘Purab and Paschim'. On the occasion of the actor's birthday, Saira Banu posted some vintage stills from the film and wrote him a nice letter.

While sharing the photos on Instagram stories, the actress wrote, "I would like to wish Manoj ji a very very Happy Birthday and a very good health... I have lots to talk about Manoj ji as we have shared 3-4 films together and it has been a great transition as we started off when I was absolutely new and right up to 'Purab Aur Paschim'."

The actress uploaded two photos, one of which is a black and white still and the other is a close-up of the two actors. Manoj Kumar is a well-known actor, director, and screenwriter who has won several Filmfare Awards as well as a National Film Award. He has also been awarded with the Padma Shri and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contributions to Indian film.

Manoj Kumar is known for making several patriotic films. In 1981, Kumar got the opportunity to direct his idol, Dilip Kumar (Saira Banu's late husband), as well as to star in Kranti, a story about the struggle for Indian independence in the 19th century. Kranti was the last notable successful Hindi film in his career.

On his birthday, Film History Pics' Twitter account quoted Prem Chopra and wrote, "His films are textbooks for aspiring actors, filmmakers for the innovations he introduced like one-scene-one-shot, at a time with no visual effects, & technical gimmickry was limited to trolley shots."

Saira Banu, meanwhile, joined Instagram on July 7. It was the anniversary of the death of her late husband, famed actor Dilip Kumar. She has also posted some heartfelt photos of Dilip Kumar on her Instagram.

Dilip Kumar married Saira Banu in 1966. The duo has also appeared in other films together, including Iwaar Bhata, Sagina, and Bairaag. Before Dilip Kumar died in July 2021, they had been married for 56 years.