Bimal Roy Trophy for Dilip Kumar who is soon to turn 90

In a programme on Monday 19 November, the Bimal Roy Memorial and Film Society will honour veteran thespian Dilip Kumar with the Bimal Roy Trophy. The recognition comes in with less than a month to go before the veteran turns 90. This itself would be another milestone in the history of Indian cinema. Divulges the star’s actress-producer wife Saira Banu, "Dilip Sahab's birthday is on 11 December and since it is his 90th, it is very special for all of us." Saira reveals that she has started meeting event managers to prepare for the event. She also maintains that the actor is quite healthy and all set for his birthday. "By the grace of Allah, he is in very good shape and I thank all his fans for the wishes and prayers. I guess everybody is looking forward to the celebrations. I will make an announcement when I have completed all the arrangements for the ceremony. I know that everybody, like last year, will join us to celebrate the occasion," the 45-year old Saira adds. When we decided to investigate a little more, it emerged that no hotel has been booked for the birthday party, and yes, the birthday party will not be held in any hotel but on the lawns of his Bandra bungalow. There will be a Dawaat here on the night of 11 December, it is understood. Dilip Kumar, who started in films with Jwar Bhata in 1944, holds the record for winning three consecutive Filmfare Best Actor awards in 1955, 1956 and 1957. Qila, made in 1998 and directed by Umesh Mehra in 1998, was Dilip Kumar’s last film after which he announced his retirement from films.