In a recent interview veteran actor Dharmendra said, “‘Ek lamba safar lamhun mein guzar gaya’…If we see it has been a long journey and it went by in moments. I now think why it went by so soon. I miss my colleagues, the atmosphere. I miss so many things. It was a beautiful journey.”
Dharmendra, who traces his roots to Punjab, entered showbiz in 1960 with “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere” going on to create an image of Bollywood’s He-Man, after Dara Singh.
The senior actor, who will soon complete 60 years in the industry, has entertained audiences with movies of all genres — from the intense “Bandini” and “Satyakam” to potboilers like “Raja Jani” and “Pratigya”, and as a comic artist with perfect timing in “Sholay” and “Chupke Chupke”. He proved his skills as an actor with “Anupama” and “Yakeen”. In recent times, he was seen in “Life In A… Metro”, “Apne” and “Yamla, Pagla, Deewana”.
He further adds , “Fame and glamour don’t remain. Being humble and grounded is what will remain. People will say nice things about you. It is not a thought-out action and comes automatically. It came to me from my parents, from me it has gone to Sunny and Bobby,”
Dharmendra has worked with his wife and Bollywood’s “Dream Girl” Hema Malini in films like “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Sholay” and “Dream Girl”. Post marriage, the couple was seen in movies like “Alibaba aur 40 Chor”, “Baghavat”, “Samraat” and “Razia Sultan”.
The actor, who is looking forward to his grandson Karan Deol’s Bollywood debut with “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas”, is content with the love and admiration he is getting.
When asked who can be the next Bollywood’s ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’?
He replied,”Only Dharmendra can be yamla, pagala and deewana at the same time.”
On the work front, he is working on his first international short film “Dream Catcher”, and will reunite with his sons for the third installment of “Yamla Pagla Deewana” film franchise.