Mumbai, Aug 16 (NationPress) Legendary actress Saira Banu fondly reflected on her long-awaited reunion with Hema Malini, celebrating their enduring friendship, cherished memories, and experiences from behind the scenes of their films.

Saira shared the joyous occasion on Instagram, posting two photos with Hema and stating: “Hema and I had longed to reconnect for ages, but life seemed to have other plans. Recently, she called, and before I knew it, she was at my door.”

“We spent a delightful few hours together, reminiscing about the golden days and exchanging laughter over stories that time cannot erase. We even revisited a Janmashtami tale—one that profoundly altered my life in just a few weeks.”

Saira recalled meeting Hema for the first time in 1966 on the set of Deewana.

“I met Hema back in 1966 during the filming of Deewana by Raj Kapoor Sahab. She arrived with her producer Anantswamy at RK Studios in Chembur, and I was instantly captivated by her beauty.”

She reminisced about their shared experiences, including beauty secrets exchanged with their mothers.

“Later, we met again while shooting at the picturesque Krishna Raj Sagar Dam in the South. Our rooms were next to each other, and in the evenings, my mother, Hema, her mother, and I would sit on the large verandah, exchanging beauty tips. I reminded her how my mother used to put lobaan in her hair for fragrance, and it made her laugh at how well I remembered.”

Saira also recounted how her late husband, Dilip Kumar, played a vital role in introducing Hema to the media during a meeting organized by Anantswamy in Madras.

“Dilip Sahab graciously took the lead in introducing her, and Hema was visibly moved by that memory. Recently, it warmed my heart to see her and Dharam ji dancing beautifully together on a reality show.”

“Dharam ji wrapped his arm around her, and the love and comfort between them was delightful to witness. She laughed and told her cousin Prabha how much ‘Saira ji remembers!’” Saira added.

During her conversation with Hema, Saira shared another Janmashtami tale that is particularly special to her.

“The filming of the Kanha song in Shagird coincided perfectly with Janmashtami. We were shooting at Filmistan Studios with the charming Nazir Hussain Sahab, who was also busy in Madras with Dilip Sahab on Ram Aur Shyam. Due to scheduling conflicts, Nazir would shoot with me late into the night and then fly to work with Dilip Sahab the next morning.”

She reminisced about “that night,” as she sang a devotional song before Lord Krishna’s idol with Lata Mangeshkar’s enchanting voice accompanying her, “I cheekily told Nazir Sahab, ‘You’re lucky to work with Dilip Sahab! Please tell him Saira is eager to work with him…and if he declines, suggest he marry me!’”

“Nazir Sahab was taken aback momentarily and then burst into his trademark laughter.”

“The next morning, he dutifully relayed my playful message to Dilip Sahab. I heard he smiled gracefully, perhaps to mask his embarrassment. Miraculously, within days, he appeared in my life, looked into my eyes, and requested my grandmother and mother for my hand in marriage,” Saira shared.

Reflecting on her journey, Saira acknowledges that Janmashtami has consistently brought her “valuable blessings, friendships, treasured memories, and the love of my life.”

“Sharing these tales with Hema made the memories even sweeter.”