Aamir Khan follows Dilip Kumar's style of doing films, says Saira Bano

Veteran actress Saira Bano says superstar Aamir Khan is following footsteps of her legendary actor husband Dilip Kumar's style of doing "meaningful films".

"Dilip sahab used to do one film at a time in two or three years and he did relevant films like 'Paigham', 'Gunga Jumna'. His classics had relevant topics... He completely devoted time for his career," Bano said.

"I don't know if today's generation will have this thing or not. Aamir Khan follows Yusuf sahab (Dilip Kumar). Even Shah Rukh Khan is doing work and Salman Khan is also doing well," she added.

When asked if there is any unfulfilled dream of the 93- year-old actor, Bano said. "No as he has done a gamut of films". However the 71-year-old actress reveals that Kumar wanted to retire after "Ram Aur Shyam".

Also read: Rajnath Singh presents Dilip Kumar with Padma Vibhushan award

"He scared me once saying he wants to retire after 'Ram Aur Shyam'. I pleaded him... He was doing 'Aadmi' and 'Ram Aur Shyam'," she said.

"I literally told him please don't do it. I asked him to continue. There was a lull in between due to personal problems then he took pivotal roles likes 'Kranti'. Then he sat back and roamed different places and enjoyed life," she added.

The "Padosan" star feels the younger crop of actors are smart and intelligent.

"Yusuf sahab (is the) first superstar of Indian cinema. Today everyone is good and smart. We were not that intelligent. They know their work very well, they manage things nicely, they handle their career very well. But the times are different today. It is a different ball game today," she added.

Today, ailing Kumar, known as the "tragedy king of Bollywood", was presented with Padma Vibhushan by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence in suburban Bandra for his contribution to Hindi cinema spanning over six decades.