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Dilip Kumar's wife, Saira Banu wishes Pakistani government luck with restoring his ancestral home

Dilip Kumar's wife, Saira Banu wishes Pakistani government luck with restoring his ancestral home

"I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time, the dream comes true. Mashallah."
Updated 30 Sep, 2020

Did you know that Bollywood legends Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor were born in Peshawar before they moved to Bombay to begin their careers in the film industry?

The government is now making efforts to restore the former glory of what was once known as the city of flowers; buying and restoring ancestral homes of the two acting icons among 1800 other buildings is part of that plan.

Also read: Shaan Shahid thinks Madam Noor Jehan's house should be turned into a museum

Dilip Kumar's wife, former actress Saira Banu has praised Pakistan for taking this action.

Talking to Times of India, she said: "I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. Mashallah."

“My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar in North West Frontier province which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity."

"It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province," Banu added.

Once they had migrated to now India, both Kapoor and Kumar family sold their respective homes to locals. The homes were then resold multiple times until the current owner of Kapoor haveli decided to demolish it. It was then that the Pakistani government declared it as a part of national heritage and alloted a sum for both homes to be bought and restored.

The area that the havelis are located in is named Qissa-Khawani Bazaar or the 'Bazaar of Storytellers'.

Comments

Nalayak Khan Sep 29, 2020 05:12pm
Use your funds to improve the Karachi drainage system and "nallahs."
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Ashok Kumar Sep 29, 2020 05:17pm
This is very heartening news to know that Pakistani government is making efforts to keep alive the old relationship. It will definitely bring tears into the eyes of those who feel some attachment to pre-partition India. What were those circumstances that forced partition of India? Feel really sad.
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Himmat Sep 29, 2020 05:18pm
All original monuments, not created by force on captured land or destroyed monuments, should be preserved.
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Babar Azam Sep 29, 2020 05:31pm
That is the beauty of India. Many top actors are Muslims. In our Pakistan non-muslims are not recognized.
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NYS Sep 29, 2020 05:47pm
This is declared as wise initiative mainly have to refurbishment that assorted place before turning into monument for posterity
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Manoj Sep 29, 2020 06:35pm
Both became glorious because they moved to bombay
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Sridhar Raghunath Rao Sep 29, 2020 06:37pm
I sincerely appreciate the move of Pakistan Government for restoring the old Houses of celebrity icons
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Malik Sep 29, 2020 06:41pm
Well done PTI effort to win the heart & mind of legendary Indian citizens. Good uman.
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Saif Zulfiqar Sep 29, 2020 06:43pm
Indian film industry became famous by both Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor of Peshawar.
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Fast comment Sep 29, 2020 07:31pm
We love our past. We love you.
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Sane Sep 29, 2020 08:08pm
Can think of many better things to do with that money being spent by govt.
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TANVIR Sep 29, 2020 10:16pm
Good Job
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SATT Sep 29, 2020 11:05pm
Dilip sir should spend his retiring days in ancestral land.
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ferozs Sep 29, 2020 11:55pm
Hats off to the government for efforts to restore and preserve places of historical significance.
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ferozs Sep 29, 2020 11:55pm
Make Peshawar beautiful again!
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Chrís Dăn Sep 30, 2020 12:18am
Wow!!! My favourite most actor in sub-continent.
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Pathanoo Sep 30, 2020 12:37am
Artists belong to the whoel world. Honoring Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor by the Paksitani Government is a Good Deed.
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Ppatel Sep 30, 2020 03:46am
Dilip is an overrated actor. No depth in his art.
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Ahmed Sep 30, 2020 08:17am
Kapoors, kumars, chopras, khannas, Khan’s,bachchan, etc 90% of Bollywood have roots in Pakistani land. Are we gonna restore all their ancestral homes??
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INDEPENDENT Sep 30, 2020 08:51am
This is Pakistan. Pakistanis always show good gesture.
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Abdul Majeed Sheikh Sep 30, 2020 12:40pm
@Ppatel It is about his house not acting?
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saurabh Sep 30, 2020 01:01pm
Very good
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 30, 2020 04:58pm
Let there be hope, light, inspiration, compassion, beauty, affection and aspiration at the end of the tunnel.
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Hassan Sep 30, 2020 06:58pm
@Nalayak Khan Sindh gets its funds through the 18th amendment. It's the local corrupt politicians who don't put use them properly. Additionally, the federal government has already announced funding for various projects in Karachi.
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