Indian cinema’s beloved superstar Dharmendra passed away yesterday, aged 89. He was ailing for a while, and there had been an instance of a death hoax recently. Do we believe it or not? That was my first question. Two weeks ago, when the news broke, I saw myself going back to watching Anupama, my comfort Dharamji film.
So, the news was true this time. He is no more with us. I will never claim I grew up watching his films. Not at all. To me, he was always my childhood idol, Bobby Deol’s dad. You know, your imaginary best friend’s handsome, affectionate, kind and perfect father. For this reason, I always addressed him as Dharam Pitaji, to myself and to others.
It was only after 2005 that I explored the Dharam Pitaji’s work in films, mostly via TV and YouTube in recent years. The most fascinating experience was Guddi, where I could relate a lot to Jaya Bhaduri. It was kind of surreal because my idol-worshipping of Bobby was nearly the same as what she did in the film with his dad. My first expression on discovering him was one of pure wonder. How can a man be so beautiful?
Over the years, I have come to enjoy so many of his films like Sholay, Satyakam, Khamoshi, Bandini, Seeta Aur Geeta, to the recent Life in a… Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. My favourite Bollywood dance number of this millennium has to be Tinku Jiya from Yamla Pagla Deewana. Such was Pitaji’s charm that I completely ignored Bobby for the first time in my movie-watching history. And when I recently saw the veteran break into the ‘Abhi na jaao chod kar’ number with Shabana Azmi in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, I wished the brief sequence were to go on for hours.
That said, he will never be just an entertainer for me. I have been to the Dharmendra Bungalow and Sunny Super Sounds several times. I’d always think about how the family patriarch must have worked very hard to build it all from scratch. Now, as he passes, he has all the love, respect and fame anyone could’ve asked for.
Speaking of posting an obituary, I was wondering if I should do one at all. To be honest, I never looked at him as an “actor”. He will forever be Bobby’s loving dad to me – a man who showered ‘aashirwad.s’ to fans on social media as well. Therefore, when many well-meaning folks asked me to “keep a write-up ready”, I found it very hurtful. If I did that, wouldn’t I be in the same bracket as India’s insensitive media? I am not one to break any news or pour the internet with listicles on why Dharmendra was a great talent and handsome man. He doesn’t need it from anyone, let alone me. Hence, I told my well-wishers that I am no actor, and I cannot pre-feel things or do a pre-cry before a legend (also Bobby’s father) dies, just so I could do an article or a reel.
After the news broke on the morning of 24th November, I had just finished watching a film on fatherhood at IFFI Goa. I quietly went to the exhibit of the legendary bike he rode in Sholay, and looked at it for minutes. I don’t think anyone else felt that connection, but I felt I was closer to Dharam Pitaji than so many people in the world.
My only regret is that I could never take his blessings during my various visits to his residence. But I would always look around, wondering, “Will Pitaji be around? Can I seek his blessings if he suddenly appears?” That was not to happen. Today, I am sure he is flashing that angelic smile of his from the heavens, telling me and all his fans, “Jeete raho beta…”
Truly, the filmdom’s loss is heaven’s gain. As the king of kindness rests on a decorated throne up there, let’s celebrate every bit of the wonderful life he led. May there be many more human beings like Dharmendra ji.
