Saira Banu pays tribute to Nana Patekar with a rainy-day story about Dilip Kumar

Veteran actor Saira Banu has paid tribute to Nana Patekar, who died on October 8 at the age of 75. In her tribute she shared a story he once told about her late husband, the legendary Dilip Kumar.

In a social media post, she called his death "a heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema" and described him as "a performer of rare intensity." She sent her condolences to his family and to the many fans who loved his work.

The story goes back to Nana's Best Actor win for Krantiveer. Dilip Kumar invited him to the couple's home in Pali Hill to celebrate. On the way, heavy rain caught him, and he was soaked through by the time he got there.

Dilip Kumar made no fuss about it. Saira recalled that he quietly went inside, came back with a towel, dried Nana's head himself and then gave him a fresh shirt to change into. To her, a legend showing love through such a small act said more than any grand speech could.

Nana never forgot that evening. "Isse bada kya award chahiye ek insaan ko?" he later said, asking what bigger award a person could want. Saira wrote that his words touched her heart deeply.

She closed her post with a wish that he be remembered for the characters he brought to life and for the memories he leaves behind. "Rest in peace, Nana ji," she wrote.