Even after completing nearly 60 years in film industry, Dharmendra still feels like he is being tested all over again when the camera starts rolling. He is determined to live up to the expectations of his loyal fans who still latch on to every word, act of comedy and charisma that the ageing superstar exudes.
“Even today while shooting on the sets, I feel like I am a newcomer,” says the octogenarian, who only a few hours ago wrapped up shooting of an Indo-Australian project in which he rubbed shoulders with actors of his grandson’s age.
“The day I start saying that I have achieved everything in life I would cease to exist. I want to see myself working hard and finishing a number of projects. And I am excited to learn new things in the process. I believe in having a healthy body and agile mind.”
A couple of years ago he had stated that he wanted to outdo his films of 1970s and 1980s “Well, I have been working on those lines. I gave you Apne . Have you watched it?” he asks. When one nods, he says: “It was a good film. Very interesting with a touching theme. Then I thought I should make everyone laugh. So we came with Yamla Pagla Deewana. It was a big hit. The second part was a flop; so now we will be giving you the best of comedy in the third version of this film. I am not playing father this time round. We are playing brothers and it will see all three of us including Sunny and Bobby. We will start the film in August-September,” he says with a reassuring smirk.
Another of his upcoming film will touch an important aspect of his life. “In Garam, I am playing a retired colonel. It is an emotional picture. I will not like to describe it as autobiographical even though it will show glimpses of me in certain ways like poetry and my film photographs.”
Passion for acting
Acting has been a passion while growing up in Punjab till today. “I love camera and people. If you study human psychology, you will realise that everyone likes to be loved and admired. Work is worship for me. I live in farm but think about cinema. I get people to narrate me stories there because I want to touch heart of people. People love me more for my insaniyat . I have not cultivated it; it is something which comes from inside.”
Even though he has been living in Mumbai for over five decades he is close to his roots. “My roots are still in Sahnewal. Whenever I get distracted, the fresh air of my village hits my nostrils and it stops me from doing something which would besmirch my name.”
Like Raj Kapoor his family too can also be called the first family of Indian cinema. “Whenever I used to watch Raj Kapoor’s films I always used to think that theirs was the first family of Hindi films. I was highly impressed by Prithviraj Kapoor in Sikandar . Like his muscular thighs were highlighted in that period film, I also showed mine in Dharam Veer. Next his son Raj Kapoor was launched followed by Shammi and Shashi. So I also harboured ambition that one day I would launch my sons on screen. But you cannot force anyone to become an actor. We can only be a medium but destiny is written by the Almighty. My fan following went to Sunny and now me and Sunny’s popularity would reach Karan (grandson). The film’s name is Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas ; it was title of song sung by Kishoreda for my film Blackmail .”
Remembering Vinod Khanna
Talking about Vinod Khanna, who passed away recently, Dharmendra says, “Vinod was like a younger brother to me. We were together in Mera Gaon Mera Desh . He worked so well that he virtually outclassed me. He was a great actor and great human being. Everyone goes through ups and downs. He also went through that phase, he wore sadhu’s attire and left the industry. When he came back we again worked together. We were the only two actors in the industry who would perform their own stunts. Both of us refused to take doubles. We used to fight really hard,” he says, clenching his massive fist like a pugilist.
Short film
The seasoned actor was in Delhi to promote his short film Dream Catcher . For an actor, who is not active on Twitter and Facebook, acting in a short film based on technology seems dichotomous. “It is a short film but the idea is big. First I was not sure then I thought that a short film would create a bigger impact. The advantage of technology is that public can do things quickly. But it is now being misused. Innocent souls, children are going away from parents. If not used in a positive way, technology can spoil our sabhyata (culture). So in this short film, I will convey my misgivings.”
Sharing his experience of working in the film, directed by Santoshh Shivamm, he says: “I am playing a Hindustani father, whose daughter (Pooja Priyanka) has fallen for an Australian (Travis Jeffery). So I try to inject Indian values in him,” smiles Dharmendra.
