Saira Banu under lot of stress after Dilip Kumar’s death, reveals family's friend Faisal Farooqui

File photo

New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood actress of yesteryear Saira Banu, who suffered from a heart problem called ischemia, has been responding well to treatment. Close family friend Faisal Farooqui confirmed the report, saying that she is now stable. 

"There is nothing to worry, thanks to the almighty. She was admitted to Hinduja Hospital at Khar three days ago due to chest congestion. She is now stable, and under a lot of observation and abundance of precautions, considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," Farooqui, who has been the spokesperson for the family for a long time now, told Hindustan Times.

Farooqui added that the demise of her husband and legendary Dilip Kumar took a toll on her health, with stress leading to such issues. "Dilip saab ki death ke baad she suffered a lot of stress, and that has also added to her health struggle," he told the publication. "Currently, she is in the ICU, but overall is stable. She has been advised to rest with other tests and investigation pending," he added.

Saira, the widow of legendary actor, the late Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar, was rushed to the ICU of the hospital in Khar three days ago. According to eminent cardiologist Dr Nitin S. Gokhale who is attending on her, the left ventricle in her heart had stopped functioning and led to ingress of water in her heart and lungs. "The problem has been controlled for now and she is medically much better now. We shall shift her out of the ICU tomorrow (Thursday) and then decide further measures," Gokhale told IANS.

Saira Banu's health sparked concerns on social media, with many praying and wishing for her speedy recovery and early discharge from the hospital. 

Starting her acting career as a teen in 1961 with the film 'Junglee', she went on to become one of the topmost heroines in the 1960s-1970s era, working with the leading actors of the day and starring in the biggest films. In the past few years, she earned legions of admirers for the manner in which she stood by and cared for her husband Dilip Kumar who was ailing for several years before he passed away on July 7 aged 98.