Saira Banu shares Diwali memories of annual photo tradition with Dilip Kumar
Synopsis
Saira Banu's Diwali post is more than a seasonal greeting — it is a quiet, recurring act of remembrance. By sharing their annual diya-side photograph tradition, she keeps Dilip Kumar's presence woven into the festival, turning a personal ritual into a moment that resonates with anyone who has loved and lost.
Key Takeaways
Saira Banu shared throwback photos with Dilip Kumar on her official Instagram to mark Diwali 2026 .
She recalled the couple's annual tradition of posing together surrounded by diyas at their home.
She also remembered vibrant Diwali gatherings during her early years in the Hindi film industry .
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu married on 11 October 1966 ; she was 22 and he was 44 at the time.
Saira Banu regularly pays tribute to her late husband on social media since his passing in 2021 .
Veteran actress Saira Banu marked Diwali 2026 with a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing throwback photographs of herself with the late Dilip Kumar and recalling the couple's cherished annual tradition of posing together by the glow of diyas. The nostalgic post drew an outpouring of affection from fans who have long followed the iconic pair's love story.
The Annual Diwali Tradition
In the caption accompanying the throwback images, Saira Banu described a ritual that defined Diwali in the Kumar household for decades. 'I often think of the Diwalis Dilip Sahib and I shared, and our little tradition of taking our annual photograph together, surrounded by the glow of diyas, while our home sparkled with countless little flames,' she wrote. The images, shared on her official Instagram handle, show the couple posing amid several lit diyas, offering a rare and intimate window into their personal celebrations.
Memories of Early Industry Days
Beyond the quiet domesticity of their home ritual, Saira Banu also looked back at the vibrant social calendar that accompanied her entry into Hindi cinema. She recalled 'lovely Diwali gatherings, dear friends, endless festivities and the childlike delight of lighting phuljhadis' during her early years in the film industry. Those memories, she noted, have 'beautifully stayed' with her — a sentiment that resonated widely with followers who grew up watching both stars on screen.
The Diwali Message
Saira Banu's post carried a philosophical undertone alongside the nostalgia. 'There is something quite magical about Diwali. Perhaps it is the way a thousand little diyas make a home feel warmer, or how certain moments, even years later, return to us with the tenderness of an old photograph,' she wrote. She added that 'life has a curious way of turning moments into memories, but the love with which they were lived never quite leaves us.' Closing her Diwali wish, she said: 'This Diwali, I wish for every home to be filled with laughter, every heart with contentment, and every life with little moments that become beautiful memories.'
Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar: A Six-Decade Bond
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu were married on 11 October 1966. At the time of the wedding, Saira Banu was 22 years old and Dilip Kumar was 44 years old — a significant age gap that attracted public attention but proved to be one of Bollywood's most enduring marriages. Dilip Kumar, widely regarded as the 'Tragedy King' of Hindi cinema, passed away in 2021, and Saira Banu has since regularly honoured his memory through social media. This Diwali post is part of that continuing tribute — a way, as she frames it, of keeping the warmth of shared moments alive.
Point of View
She returns to the same theme, the same photographs, the same warmth. In an era of curated celebrity personas, there is something genuinely moving about a widow holding on to a festival ritual as a form of continued companionship. It also serves as a reminder that Dilip Kumar's legacy is not only preserved in film archives but in the living memory of those closest to him.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Saira Banu post on Diwali 2026?
Saira Banu shared throwback photographs with her late husband Dilip Kumar on her official Instagram, recalling their annual tradition of posing together surrounded by diyas at their home during Diwali. The post included a heartfelt message about memory, love, and the magic of the festival.
What was Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar's annual Diwali tradition?
Every Diwali, the couple would take a photograph together surrounded by the glow of diyas while their home was lit with 'countless little flames,' as Saira Banu described it. This annual photograph became a cherished ritual she has continued to share publicly since Dilip Kumar's passing.
When did Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu get married?
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu married on 11 October 1966. At the time, Saira Banu was 22 years old and Dilip Kumar was 44 years old.
Why does Saira Banu regularly post about Dilip Kumar on social media?
Since Dilip Kumar's passing in 2021, Saira Banu has frequently shared memories and tributes on social media to honour his legacy. Occasions such as Diwali, anniversaries, and birthdays often prompt posts that give fans an intimate glimpse into their decades-long bond.
What was Saira Banu's Diwali wish this year?
Saira Banu wished that 'every home be filled with laughter, every heart with contentment, and every life with little moments that become beautiful memories.' She described Diwali as magical for the way diyas make a home feel warmer and certain memories return 'with the tenderness of an old photograph.'
