It's been five years since legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar left for his heavenly abode, but his memories remain fresh, and the void he left behind is yet to be filled.

His widow and former actress Saira Banu penned a detailed emotional note to mark the fifth death anniversary of the love of her life.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the 81-year-old shared a carousel of unseen memorable glimpses with her late husband, whose original name was Youssef Khan.

She began her note by reflecting on the essence of life, “The most beautiful thing about life is that it never truly departs. It lingers in memories. And memories, unlike time, are faithful companions. They return unbidden, carrying every smile, every glance, every word, as though nothing has ever truly been lost. To remember someone is perhaps the purest proof that they have never been forgotten.”

She expressed her belief that Sahib (what she called her husband), had bestowed upon her a treasure beyond measure before he took leave of this earthly world: a treasury of memories so rich that I shall spend the remainder of my days living amongst them.

The Padosan actor continued, “On this day, the 7th of July, 2021, Dilip Kumar left not only me, but an entire world that cherished him. His family, friends, admirers and brethren in cinema were left with an emptiness words can never quite describe. Yet, for me, he was far more than the man the world celebrated. He was the steadfast anchor of my life, the quiet strength upon which I leaned.”

Remembering her time with him, she added, “Ours was not merely a life lived together, but a life fulfilled. Such was the generosity of his spirit and the grace with which he carried every responsibility, that he allowed me the rare privilege simply to be his companion.”

The Faisla actor described Dilip's towering personality as, “a philanthropist, a cherished friend, and above all, a human being whose compassion was as boundless as his dignity.”

She further wrote, “Five years have passed since Sahib departed from my sight, yet never from my life. Love of such depth does not submit to time, nor does companionship of such grace surrender to absence. He resides wherever my memories wander, and they wander to him every single day.”

Saira, over the years, has been vocal about how much she misses the legend. The two were inseparable while he was alive, and would be frequently visited by the likes of actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.