The 89-year-old actor has narrated his life's story to veteran film journalist Uday Tarra Nayar, who has penned it in the form of a coffee table book being prepared under the care and supervision of Saira Banu.
In the book the "Madhumati" star traces the journey he undertook more than eight decades ago as Yusuf Khan from Peshawar, his acting career in Bombay (now Mumbai), and his attaining a stature in Hindi cinema.
The book recreates the Pathan neighbourhood of the actor's childhood with illustrations and offers rare photographs of his family, the celebrated couple Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, their friends and his many memorable films.
"So many writers have approached Dilip Sahab and me for writing this book. We chose Uday Tarra because she is a family member and Sahab has known her for a very long time as a film journalist... Tarra writes well and with a feeling of deep respect which can only come from someone who loves us not for who we are but for what we are," Saira said in a statement.
The book will be published jointly by Saira's entertainment enterprise Sharp Focus and New Media, India's largest bilateral trade magazine publishing house.
"We are proud to be associated with this venture of bringing out a coffee table book on Hindi cinema's greatest actor. We convey our thanks to the legendary couple Sairaji and Dilip Sahab for giving us this opportunity," said New Media's Managing Editor and Publisher Satya Swaroop.