Never Ending Movie Carnival
Never Ending Movie Carnival
Long Live Dharmendra: The Jat Yamla Pagla Who Made Us Deewana
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol – aka Dharmendra aka He – Man (original), aka Garam Dharam aka Veeru aka Aapka Dharam is now immortal. The legend who had a highly illustrious innings in the film industry spanning sixty-five years breathed his last toady. He was 89.
Dharmendra – the story of a die-hard fan to an icon, legend is immensely inspirational for anyone who dares to dream and is completely honest and extremely passionate in ensuring that his dream is fulfilled.
In my first remembrance piece after the death of the original He – Man of the Indian Film Industry, I as a fan first who mimicked Dharamji’s iconic water tank act from Sholay to impress family, friends and neighbours, recollect this unique and rare equation between Dharmendra and his idols – Dilip Kumar and Suraiya.
Dharmendra – at the age of around 12 – 13 saw the thespian Dilip Kumar on screen during 1948 in ‘Shaheed’ and became a huge fan, it is said that the pioneer of method acting in Hindi cinema Dilip Kumar was the prime reason/motivation for Dharmendra to join the film industry.
Such was his craze for Dilip Kumar that Dharmendra boldly entered straight into Dilip Kumar’s house and surprisingly was not stopped at the gate and he went straight into the thespian’s bedroom. Dilip Kumar sensed that someone has entered and very much to his surprise saw a young handsome Dharmendra siting and looking at him. Dharmendra didn,t said a single word and was just looking at his idol and couldn’t believe that it was him right in front of him. When Dilip Kumar called a servant loudly, Dharmendra realized his madness and left the house. Dharmendra rushed to a nearby cafeteria and ordered a thandi lassi. Sipping lassi Dharmendra was wondering and thanking his stars and was in awe, he couldn,t believe that he has seen his idol – Dilip Kumar.
Six years after this incident, Dharmendra returned to Mumbai to take part in the United Producers and Filmfare Talent Contest to peruse his dreams. Dharmendra won the contest and was asked to report at the Filmfare office for a photo shoot. The incredibly handsome Punjabi Jat munda had no idea about make – up, so a fair, slim girl came to him with a make-up kit and she began to touch up Dharmendra’s face.
The editor of Filmfare during that time L P Rao told him that the girl who is doing the touch up to his face is non other than Farida - Dilip Sahab’s sister, who was working with Femina. Dharmendra immediately ran towards her and requested Farida to arrange his meeting with Dilip Kumar. In his innocence and die-hard loyalty Dharmendra said to Farida that he firmly believes that Dilip Kumar is his elder brother. Farida was amused and she agreed.
The next day Dharmendra was called over at Dilip Sahab’s bungalow at Pali Hill at 8.30 p.m. Both Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra sat on the lawns and Dharmendra was mostly listening to Dilip Kumar as the thespian shared about his journey till date. How he came to Mumbai, what difficulties he faced during his early days, etc.
Dharmendra was in complete awe of his idol and all ears. When Dharmendra was about to leave, Dilip Kumar took him upstairs to his room and gave him a sweater from his cupboard because the thespian noticed Dharmendra wearing a thin cotton shirt and the climate was a bit chilly.
“He (Dilip Kumar) hugged me and saw me off at the gate. I can still feel the warmth of that hug because it was genuine,” Dharmendra said.
The above anecdote is courtesy “The Substance and the Shadow’ – the autobiography of Dilip Kumar written with Udaya Tara Nayar.
Before Hema Malini, it was the legendary actor, singer Suraiya who ruled Dharmendra’s heart. Dharmendra was a huge fan of Suraiya and it is said that Dharmendra walked miles to watch Suraiya’s ‘Dillagi’, over 40 times, the movie is known for its theme and songs like "Tu Mera Chand Mein Teri Chandani " sung by Geeta Dutt and "Murliwale Murli Baja" sung by Suraiya).
Though Suraiya and Dharmendra never acted together but such craze for an artiste is rare and unique.
Such admiration, dedication, self-belief and hard work made Dharmendra what he is today.
Dharmendra – the man full of life, love, the shayarana (poetic) andaz, the macho image and love for his near and dear ones made him the icon, the legend who has now become immortal.
In our upcoming piece on Dharmendra, we will highlight his uniqueness as an artiste, as an actor, apart from being popular as an action star, Dharmendra was an extremely romantic hero on screen and some of Hindi cinema’s (Bollywood) most romantic songs are filmed on him. Plus, Dharmendra displayed a rare brilliance as an actor and of course his comic timings were perfect.
All these coming up next
Stay tuned
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma