Dilip Kumar passes away: SRK consoles distressed Saira Banu

Renowned Bollywood actor Mohammed Yusuf Khan, world-famous as Dilip Kumar, passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday morning after prolonged bouts of illnesses. Several celebrities from the Hindi film fraternity were spotted arriving at Dilip Kumar's residence to pay their respect as the legendary actor breathed his last today.

Hyderabad: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was spotted at Dilip Kumar's residence to pay his respect as the legendary actor breathed his last today. SRK was seen consoling Kumar's wife Saira Banu who lost her 'Kohinoor' after brief hospitalisation due to age-related issues.

SRK's admiration for the first Khan of Bollywood is no secret. From rolling out the red carpet for Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu at an award show to taking Kumar's autograph on a life-size poster of Madhubala and Salim, SRK has always been vocal about how much he idolises the stalwart of Hindi cinema.

The admiration was mutual as in an earlier interview, Saira Banu had even said that if they had a son, he might have looked like the Baazigar actor.

"Dilip saab gave the ceremonial clap. I have always said that if we had a son, he might have looked like Shah Rukh," she was quoted saying. She had then added, "Both he and saab are a lot alike and have similar hair, which is why I like to run my fingers through Shah Rukh Khan when we meet. This time he asked me, 'Aaaj aap mere baalon ko haath nahin laga rahi hain?' I was happy to."

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Kumar was admitted to the P.D. Hinduja Hospital on June 30 for a variety of age-related health issues. Around 9.30 a.m., an ambulance carrying Dilip Kumar's body left for his home in Bandra west, with his wife of 55-years Saira Banu Khan accompanying along with some family members.

Just two days ago, Saira Banu Khan had tweeted about his improving medical condition, since her husband had been keeping unwell recently. But that was a short-lived glimmer of hope and he passed away around dawn Wednesday, plunging Bollywood, his billions of fans, followers and admirers around the world into gloom.

Earlier, Dharmendra, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan and Siddharth Roy Kapur had also arrived at Dilip Kumar’s house to pay their last respect to the legendary actor. Kumar's last rites are likely to be held at the Juhu Muslim Cemetery in Santacruz west, around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.