The iconic Dharmendra turned a sprightly 84 on December 8, and his fans and well-wishers kept him busy throughout the day.
The actor wasn’t keeping too well lately, but all is well now, he reveals. “I was down with dengue for a while. Now, there’s just some pain in my knees. Otherwise, I am fine. I forced the dengue out of my knees,” he jokes.
As for work, Dharam ji confesses he misses the camera. “I belong in front of the camera. I haven’t done a film in some time, but I am planning to get back. My fans and well-wishers miss me. Unke pyar ne mujh zinda rakha hai (Their love has kept me alive). They’re my oxygen,” he smiles, recalling his favourite films from his oeuvre. “Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anupama, Satyakam and Chupke Chupke were special,” the actor says.
Coincidentally, his co-star in all the three favourite films was Sharmila Tagore, who is born on the same day as him. “Sharmila is one of my favourite co-stars, but my most favourite co-star is Hema (Malini),” he says shyly.
When asked about his positive attitude, the Sholay actor gushes: “God sent me to spread happiness and to put smiles on as many faces as possible during my lifetime. I can’t thank the Almighty and my well-wishers enough for all the love that I get. If I’ve been able to give back even a fraction of that love that I’ve got, I am a happy man.”
And when it comes to his unfulfilled dreams, Dharam ji says in conclusion: “I want to see every human being freed of pain. I want to see disease, corruption, and discrimination eliminated from our country. You say it’s impossible? I’ve always dreamt of the impossible. I was a boy from a small village in Punjab. Who would have thought I’d be loved by everyone?”
