Saira Bano born August 23, 1944, is a popular Bollywood actress. She acted in many blockbusters from 1960-80. Saira Banu was born to actress Naseem Banu, the granddaughter of a courtesan Chamiyan Bai. Saira Banu is the wife of veteran actor Dilip Kumar.

Saira Banu was born in 1944 in India. Saira had spent considerable years of her childhood in London, and went to finish school. Saira Banu`s niece Shaheen Banu was also an actress who was married to former actor Sumeet Saigal and after divorce remarried Atul Patel in London. Saira Banu made her acting debut in the 1961, opposite Shammi Kapoor in his hit film Junglee for which she earned her first Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. This film also instantly made her a successful actress throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. After having a long time affair with Rajendra Kumar she finally married Dilip Kumar in 1966. Saira was famous for her typical dramatically challenging roles.

Saira Banu was thought to be one of the few actresses who started wearing sensational attires in Bollywood. She wore a swimsuit in the film April Fool, followed by a number of movies including Resham Ki Dori, Victoria no. 403, International Crook, Saazish, Pocketmaar, Purab Aur Pacchim. Her chemistry with Dharmendra was commendable in Saazish. Victoria No. 403 became one of the blockbuster hits for the lovely show Saira put on with all time famous Ranjeet.

Her brave attempts to establish a reputation as an actress after Sagina, Gopi and Bairaag (all with Dilip Kumar) and films like Chaitali, by director Hrishikesh Mukherjee`s met with moderate success. She earned three additional Filmfare nominations as Best Actress for Diwana (1968), Shagird (1967), and Sagina (1974). In 1976, Saira decided to retire from her film career. She then appeared in a character part opposite her husband in Duniya (1984) and made her last film appearance in film Faisla in 1988.

After leaving films, She has become a successful television producer recently producing the television serial Stree... Teri Kahani. Her niece Shaheen Patel has written this serial. In 1966, 22-year-old Saira married 44-year-old Dilip Kumar and it is known that their marriage has been one of the longest lasting marriages in Bollywood.

Filmography of Saira Banu

Film	Year	Film	Year
Faisla	1988	Diwana	1967
Duniya	1984	Shagird	1967
Hera Pheri	1976	Pyar Mohabbat	1966
Zameer	1975	Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai	1966
Victoria No. 203	1972	April Fool	1964
Purab Aur Paschim	1971	Ayee Milan Ki Bela	1964
Aadmi Aur Insaan	1969	Door Ki Awaaz	1964
Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan	1968	Bluff Master	1963
Padosan	1968	Shaadi	1962
Aman	1967	Junglee	1961