Century's mega star Dilip Kumar love eating city's paan, frequently visited Khuldabad-Aurangabad

Rafique Aziz

Aurangabad, July 7:

The legendary film actor Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar, who left for heavenly abode this morning, lead a king-size life. However, very few people knew that Khuldabad and Aurangabad, once upon a time were frequently visited destinations this great actor till the early 1980s. These were the perfect places for him to enjoy a break from his hectic schedule of film shootings and get rid of hustle and bustle life of Mumbai. Above all, he was an avid fan of Aurangabad's paan and would

either carry them during his visit or order for them while he is in Mumbai.

" He has and was having a huge fan-following. As a result, to maintain the law and order situation, his visits to Khuldabad were mostly kept confidential. He would either come by road or arrive at Aurangabad airport and then proceed to Khuldabad by road. He would stay in the government guest house. He would come to spend his leisure time with his nearer and dearer or in the company of poets and sports-lovers. He loved football. He was a very good ‘shayar’ himself. He had told that he used to get eternal peace in Khuldabad, which is called as an abode to heaven," explained

the 75-year-old Muhammed Sharfuddin Siddiqui alias Sharfoo Bhai (of Tara Paan Centre), recalling his old memories.

Adds the sitting president of Khuldabad Municipal Council Adv S M Qamar, " He was having great respect for Khuldabad and Aurangabad as according to him these are the spiritual places of Walis, Sufis, and Saints. He was impressed with the diverse culture. He would always encourage people to take education and start educational institutes. As an initiative in this regard, he had also once organised a grand poetic meet (Mushaira) at Vikram Stadium (in Aurangabad) probably

during 1974-75. Today, I am 60-years-old and my elders used to shared many of his stories in connection with Khuldabad. I remember when I was in 7th standard, I along with my seniors happen to meet him at our guest house. He spoke to all of us (including children and teenagers) very politely. I had hardly seen such a cheerful, confident and positive person in my life."

Paan- the pride of Aurangabad and Dilip Sahab

Dilip Sahab was always attended by a local private guide Muzaffar, who use to take care of all his needs, while he is in Aurangabad-Khuldabad. Once upon a time during the 1970s, the legendary actor expressed his wish to eat a paan late in the evening at Khuldabad. The guide contacted me for paan, but I laid a condition that I will serve the paan personally to Dilip Sahab. Accordingly, we both reached the guest house and served the betel leaf to him at Khuldabad. After chewing

paan for a couple of times, Yusuf Sahab could not resist his emotions and uttered ‘Wa’ah’. Since then the doyen of Indian cinema fell in love with our paan," pointed out Sharfoo Bhai, who is also a staunch fan of this actor in real and reel life.

" He was so impressed that he asked to give a parcel of paans. His better half-Saira Bano also loved the paans. He would never miss eating our paan whenever he used to be here in town. If any person of his contact from Aurangabad would visit Mumbai, the Dilip Sahab would tell him on phone never forget to bring a parcel of our paans. After a couple of years of Dilip Sahab and Saira Bano's marriage, I got a call that Saira madam is having a function in Mumbai and I was told to send a parcel of 100 paans. I then arranged and sent the parcel of paans. Once I had some personal work in Mumbai. I went to meet him at his house. He welcomed and inquired about my visit and told me to join him for dinner after finishing my day's work," said Sharfoo Bhai with pride in his eyes.

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End of an era

The citizens used to get thrilled on learning about his official visits to Khuldabad or Aurangabad. They would get a chance to see the great star from a close distance at the functions. He would also honour the local citizens by inaugurating their establishments, attending poetic meets or social and cultural gatherings. Few senior citizens recall that he had also graced at the inaugural function of Roxy Talkies in the 1970s. He was with Saira Bano.

His style of dressing was very decent and was imitated by the fans. At any informal function, he would wear his favourite white colour full-sleeved shirt and trousers. They would also never forget to take photographs in his off-beat style (with the neck slightly cross or raised upward) in photo studios or Anandnagaris.

A group of elderly fans, on anonymity, grieved saying, " He was undoubtedly the century's megastar (Mahanayak) born rarely. Above all, he was a true human being, a great patriot, a man of etiquettes, well-cultured etc. His death is a major blow to all the fans, especially the people of our age. His death has created a huge vacuum that would never ever be filled up, they claimed.