Today marks the Saira Banu‘s 62th anniversary in the industry. Her debut movie ‘Junglee‘ had released 62 years ago and saw her alongside Shammi Kapoor. But did you know that Saira’s debut film could have been ‘Hum Hindustani’ with Sunil Dutt? Here’s what happened. Banu took to social media and got nostalgic about her movie debut.
The actress recalled, “Fortunately, upon returning from London, I was offered movies from renowned South Indian studios such as A.V.M.and GEMINI alongside distinguished filmmakers like Kamal Amrohi, Ramanand Sagar, B.R. Chopra, and the illustrious S. Mukherjee of Filmalaya, known for delivering hits like ‘LOVE IN SIMLA’ and ‘DIL DEKE DEKHO’, while giving two illustrious heroines Sadhana and Asha Parekh to the Industry. Mukerjee Uncle, the man at Bombay Talkies, later established “Filmistan Studios”.This warm welcome to the film industry for Saira Banu was truly attributed to being the daughter of ‘Pari Chehra’ Naseem Banu.”
Saira’s mother Naseem Banu was a popular actress known for her beauty and work in movies like ‘Anokhi Ada’, ‘Sheesh Mahal’, ‘Pukar’ amidst others. Saira further shared that Rani Mukerji‘s father Ram Mukherjee was interested in casting her but here’s what happened. “The anticipation surrounding Naseemji’s daughter added an air of suspense and expectancy that Oh! How promising would be Naseemji’s daughter! Mukherjee uncle had a keen interest in casting me alongside Sunil Dutt in their grand colour project “HUM HINDUSTANI,” directed by Ram Mukerji (Rani’s father) but the story required a mature actor to complement the hero’s subdued, scholarly role.”
It was then that Ram Mukherjee advised her to consider his brother’s movie ‘Junglee’. Saira said, “Then, Mukherjee Uncle advised us to consider his brother’s Subodh Mukherjee’s impending venture “JUNGLEE” where the heroine is a capricious prankster. It suited my nature to the ‘Tee’ as I was a curious blend of a youngster who climbed trees in the garden and insisted on having lunch perched in the branches. Simultaneously, I’d dash around the garden barefoot, yet when visitors arrived at home, I’d become the shy recluse. This unique combination still defines me to this day- a recluse and an outgoing LEO.”
Here’s how Saira prepared for her debut film once she was signed on. “To prepare for “JUNGLEE,” they familiarised me with lights and the camera, Mukherjee Uncle placed me in front of the camera and asked me to relax and speak freely In front of the camera. I asked if I could recite an English line that had left a deep impression on me. I still recall that moment vividly when I recited, “It is a breach of good manners to inflict upon another the irritating necessity of deciphering an ill-written scrawl”! In school, if our homework was untidy we were made to write this dozens of times! So I said this in a very matter of fact manner. Towards the end of the day, I’ll be talking about my first scene in Junglee which to this day remains precious to me.”
The actress has further left her fans curious as she promised to share more anecdotes about ‘Junglee’ and Shammi Kapoor.
The actress recalled, “Fortunately, upon returning from London, I was offered movies from renowned South Indian studios such as A.V.M.and GEMINI alongside distinguished filmmakers like Kamal Amrohi, Ramanand Sagar, B.R. Chopra, and the illustrious S. Mukherjee of Filmalaya, known for delivering hits like ‘LOVE IN SIMLA’ and ‘DIL DEKE DEKHO’, while giving two illustrious heroines Sadhana and Asha Parekh to the Industry. Mukerjee Uncle, the man at Bombay Talkies, later established “Filmistan Studios”.This warm welcome to the film industry for Saira Banu was truly attributed to being the daughter of ‘Pari Chehra’ Naseem Banu.”
Saira’s mother Naseem Banu was a popular actress known for her beauty and work in movies like ‘Anokhi Ada’, ‘Sheesh Mahal’, ‘Pukar’ amidst others. Saira further shared that Rani Mukerji‘s father Ram Mukherjee was interested in casting her but here’s what happened. “The anticipation surrounding Naseemji’s daughter added an air of suspense and expectancy that Oh! How promising would be Naseemji’s daughter! Mukherjee uncle had a keen interest in casting me alongside Sunil Dutt in their grand colour project “HUM HINDUSTANI,” directed by Ram Mukerji (Rani’s father) but the story required a mature actor to complement the hero’s subdued, scholarly role.”
It was then that Ram Mukherjee advised her to consider his brother’s movie ‘Junglee’. Saira said, “Then, Mukherjee Uncle advised us to consider his brother’s Subodh Mukherjee’s impending venture “JUNGLEE” where the heroine is a capricious prankster. It suited my nature to the ‘Tee’ as I was a curious blend of a youngster who climbed trees in the garden and insisted on having lunch perched in the branches. Simultaneously, I’d dash around the garden barefoot, yet when visitors arrived at home, I’d become the shy recluse. This unique combination still defines me to this day- a recluse and an outgoing LEO.”
Here’s how Saira prepared for her debut film once she was signed on. “To prepare for “JUNGLEE,” they familiarised me with lights and the camera, Mukherjee Uncle placed me in front of the camera and asked me to relax and speak freely In front of the camera. I asked if I could recite an English line that had left a deep impression on me. I still recall that moment vividly when I recited, “It is a breach of good manners to inflict upon another the irritating necessity of deciphering an ill-written scrawl”! In school, if our homework was untidy we were made to write this dozens of times! So I said this in a very matter of fact manner. Towards the end of the day, I’ll be talking about my first scene in Junglee which to this day remains precious to me.”
The actress has further left her fans curious as she promised to share more anecdotes about ‘Junglee’ and Shammi Kapoor.
