The provincial government in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is set to purchase the ancestral houses of legendary Bollywood actors Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar to conserve the historic buildings which are in dilapidated condition and facing demolition threat. "The Department of Archaeology in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province has decided to allocate sufficient funds for purchasing the two buildings, which have been declared as the national heritage and lie in the heart of Peshawar city," an official said. 

Now, veteran actor Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu has reacted to the news. Talking to a leading daily, she said, “I wish the provincial government success in its efforts and sincerely hope that this time the dream comes true. Mashallah.”

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Dilip Kumar’s ancestral house is over 100 years old and is situated in the Qissa Khwani Bazar locality. “My heart fills up with joy each time I receive the same news about the ancestral home of Yousuf Saheb in Peshawar in North West Frontier province ( now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ) which the provincial government has been repeatedly trying to turn into a monument for posterity. It has come up so many times in the past and I have appreciated the tenacity with which the government is pursuing the mission of turning the house into a museum for the public to visit and feel the vintage charm of the house where Dilip Saheb grew up like any bright boy of the province,” added Saira Banu.

Talking about her last visit to the ancestral house, Saira Banu said, “The house is of great sentimental value to my husband and I have shared his pride and happiness during a visit to the property some years ago. He was so emotional when he saw the house where he spent his lovely childhood in the comfort and security of a large, refined family.”

(Source: Times Of India)