When Dilip Kumar met Madhubala for the first time after marriage with Saira Banu, said, “Madhu was looking very weak and she said…”

Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar’s love story is one of the most iconic in the history of Indian cinema. However, before Saira, Dilip Kumar had a deep love affair with actress Madhubala, which became the talk of the town.

Their romance began during the shooting of Tarana, and their relationship grew stronger over time. However, it was during the making of the classic Mughal-e-Azam that their love story ended, primarily due to Madhubala’s father disapproving of their relationship.

Dilip and Saira wedding

Years later, after Dilip Kumar married the young Saira Banu, something unexpected happened. Madhubala, who had once shared an intense bond with Dilip Kumar, asked to meet him. This request, though surprising, came with an emotional backstory, as it was the first time she reached out to him after his marriage.

When Dilip Kumar met Madhubala after wedding with Saira

In his autobiography, The Substance and the Shadow: An Autobiography, Dilip Kumar opened up about this delicate moment in his life. He revealed that it was his wife, Saira Banu, who encouraged him to meet Madhubala, a decision that highlighted Saira’s generosity and her ability not to dwell on the past. Dilip Kumar wrote, “Soon after our nikah (marriage), while we were staying in Madras, I received a message from Madhubala that she wished to see me urgently. I confided in Saira as soon as we returned to Bombay about the message. Saira at once insisted that I should meet Madhu since it must be something she was distressed about.”

When Dilip Kumar arrived at Madhubala’s home to meet her, what he saw left him deeply affected. He described the scene poignantly, saying, “When I went to Madhu’s home, I was pained to see that she was frail and looked very weak. The pallor on her face not only belied her ill health, but her magnificent, impish smile seemed such an effort.” Madhubala, known for her beauty and charm, now appeared far from her former vibrant self. Yet, despite her deteriorating health, she managed to share a smile, perhaps an attempt to mask the pain she was enduring.

In a touching moment, Madhubala greeted Dilip Kumar with words that reflected the affection she still held for him: “Hamare shehzade ko unki shehzadi mil gayi hai, main bahut khush hoon!” (Our prince has got his princess, I am very happy). This was Madhubala’s way of acknowledging Dilip Kumar’s marriage to Saira Banu while also expressing her own happiness for him.

The reason behind this meeting was emotional, as Madhubala sought Dilip Kumar’s advice on some personal matters. Despite the years that had passed since their breakup, Madhubala still turned to him for guidance. Dilip Kumar recalled, “She was worried about some personal matters that she needed my advice on and we discussed them until she was somewhat satisfied that they could be sorted out.” After the conversation, Madhubala seemed to find some peace, and the meeting ended on a note of resolution.

Tragically, this would be the last time Dilip Kumar would see Madhubala. She passed away on 23rd February 1969 at the young age of 36, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances. Despite her tumultuous personal life, Madhubala’s influence on Indian cinema remains profound, and her final meeting with Dilip Kumar became a poignant moment in their shared history.