Dharmendra who just turned 80 feels as young as ever. In a freewheeling chat, he looks back upon his illustrious career and thanks his audience for making him the star he is
The legendary Dharmendra whose blend of brawn and bonhomie made the ladies swoon all through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, says that feels just the same even today. The legendary actor, who turned 80 yesterday, was the first hero to take off his shirt on screen (for Meena Kumari in Phool Aur Patthar). Clearly he knows a thing or two about looking fit and fine. “I think it’s human nature to try to look your best and fit in at any age. I am no exception. I’ve kept going all these years because of the love of the people. That is my strength and my true vitamin. I get very emotional about all the warmth and affection I still command. Acting is still my passion. That love for the craft has not diminished although I started my career in 1960 and I am still in love with the camera.”
Dharamji reminisces about his childhood. “From a young age I was obsessed about being on screen. God heard me. I was selected in the Filmfare talent contest. And here I am. My endeavour has always been to be in front of the camera and from there enter the hearts of people. I’ve succeeded in doing so and that is my good fortune.”
Known as one of the most decent gentlemen in the film entertainment industry Dharamji says that it’s his basic nature remain positive. “I cannot bear to hurt anyone. If I happen to hurt anybody accidentally, I don’t get sleep at night. I’ve an insatiable appetite to love and be loved. My endeavour all my life is to give and get love.”
Turning the conversation towards films, I ask him how did he manage to be so effortless and natural in some of his landmark works such as Satyakam and Naya Zamana. Dharamji laughs off the compliment and says, “When I started acting, I knew nothing about cinema. I was raw. I played characters that touched my soul. I surrendered to my directors. I didn’t ‘act’. I just did what seemed normal and natural. I also got to work with directors like Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. I did my best. I’d regard Bimalda’s Bandini, Hrishida’s Anupama and Satyakam as the important films in the 1960s that taught me how to love the camera. I also regard Pramod Chakrvavarty’s Naya Zamana and Dost as very important films in my career.”
Dharmedra is the only leading man besides Dilip Kumar to have been directed by both Bimal Roy and his most successful protégé Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Drawing a comparison between the two masters, the actor says, “Bimalda was a very quiet sensitive soul. He was like an angel. In his company you immediately felt like kneeling down before him. I was deeply grateful to him for giving me my first break. He used to call me ‘Dharmendra’ but not in a formal way. He used to instruct me about the scenes with the same love and affection that a father has for his son. I’d do exactly what he would tell me and he would okay my shots in one take. As for Hrishida, I am aware I was his favourite. He was very close to me. He was so many things to me — sometimes a school master on the sets, sometimes like an elder brother and sometimes a friend. I was the only actor who would argue with him on the scenes.
One day on the sets, he had a severe bout of gout pain. So he instructed the cameraman Jaywant Pathare to do the shoot and left. After he left, I asked for the camera to be turned in my favourite angle. We shot for barely ten minutes when Hrishida returned saying, ‘I knew you would change things to your own liking. So I am back.’ He used to get angry sometimes. But even his anger was very dear to me. Bahut pyare insaan thay.”
The actor considers Phool Aur Patthar his biggest hit in the 60s, the time when he joined the film industry. “That film was like the Sholay of the 1960s. Actually I was signed for Bimalda’s Bandini first. But I met Arjun Hingorani who insisted on doing a film with me. So his film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was my first release. Later I had several hit films in my name like Kab Kyun Aur Kahan and Kahani Kismat Ki with Hingorani. Then in 1970s I there were films with Hema like Raja Jani, Sharafat, Naya Zamana, Jugnu, Pratiggya and of course Sholay.” He surprises when asked to name his favourite film and performance. Instead of naming Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam, the affable actor promptly says it’s Pratiggya.
“Pratiggya which was directed by Dulal Guha came in the same year as Sholay (1975), so it go eclipsed. But let me tell you, it was a super hit despite competition from Sholay. Just as in 1971 when Naya Zamana clicked in spite of blockbuster like Mera Gaon Mera Desh. They were such different films. I am very fond of Naya Zamana because it was based on Bengali literature. The film had beautiful dialogues. But I love Pratiggya the most because it was a really tough role. I had to play a truck driver who masquerades as a cop. It was like playing a role within a role. It was a layered character with lots of emotions and drama. I had to make people laugh all the way. But there was an undercurrent of emotions. It was a challenge and people loved me in it.”
The Dharmendra and Hema Malini pairing have set a glowing example both on screen and off screen. I make a mention of it and Dharamji says shyly, “Bringing couples together is the work of destiny. Keeping a couple together is in our own hands. It all depends on how you nurture your relationship.” Ultimately, the actor would like to thank the audience for the golden career he has had. Dharamji says, “I did all sorts in roles in a variety of films. It’s the love of people that has kept me going. Main jahaan jaata hoon, logon ki aankhon mein pyar bhara hota hai.I can see their love. I am blessed. Neither my sons Sunny nor Bobby nor I ever knew the tricks of the trade. We just do what comes sincerely to us. I want to be known as a good human being before being known as a good actor.”
