The Hindu : New Delhi News : Fifty glorious years in Bollywood

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Monday, May 12, 2008
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New Delhi

Fifty glorious years in Bollywood

Photo: V.V. Krishnan

Thumbs up: Film Star Dharmendra in New Delhi.

One of the most loved actors in Hindi cinema, Dharmendra, looks back at his memorable journey and shares with Madhur Tankha some chosen moments.

He has given many endearing performances in films but has not been given his due in film awards. But that does not faze actor Dharmendra who puts adulation of the masses above all awards.

Basking in the success of his latest films “Life In A Metro” and “Apne”, the septuagenarian actor says he is still intent on doing justice to whatever role comes his way. “I want to outdo my previous memorable performance s of the 1970s and 1980s. After the success of ‘Apne’, I am optimistic that the audience will accept me and my sons in ‘Master’ in a big way. I am banking heavily on this comedy thriller being made by Anil Sharma.”

With his charismatic personality and debonair looks, Dharmendra was spotted during the Filmfare Talent Hunt Contest. “I travelled by train in the third class instead of the allotted first class, but all my misgivings disappeared after I was screen-tested by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt. During my initial years, Filmfare editor the late L.P. Rao helped me out at crucial junctures and I developed a deep emotional attachment to him. I landed at Mumbai Central Station on April 4 and have just completed 50 long years in Bollywood,” he says nostalgically.

The macho actor never learnt the tricks of the trade from any film institute. “Acting comes naturally to me. After putting on the greasepaint, I act on my instincts. When I am narrated a scene, I try to improvise. For instance, in ‘Sholay’ I added ‘ji’ to ‘mausi’ for effect.”

Dharmendra has proved his versatility time and again, giving 15 golden jubilee hits with Hema Malini in the 1970s despite the emergence of the “angry young” Amitabh Bachchan. “I did the popular comedy ‘Chupke Chupke’ in which I had to utter unpronounceable Hindi words in a funny manner. Then came ‘Pratigya’ that was a big contrast. After a long hiatus, I acted in ‘Apne’ with my two sons and it became a run-away hit. So I have done romantic, action and comedy roles with aplomb.”

Reminiscing his days in Punjab, the actor says his father was a strict disciplinarian and against the idea of acting in films. “When I landed in Mumbai, I dreamt of owning a flat and fiat. And I still retain my middle class values and roots. I am not into money matters, but I have noticed that the present generation of actors have a business mindset and want to make lots of money.”

Delving again on the touchy topic of awards and honours, Dharmendra says he should have been honoured for films like ‘Chupke Chupke’ and ‘Satyakam’. “Earlier awards were allergic to me and then I became allergic to them. It is human nature to desire love and affection.”

Dharmendra says just like his character in “Satyakam”, he wants politicians to have an incorruptible track record. “If politicians are clean then this country would become heaven. Bureaucrats also need to be honest. I want to work for humanity and that is why I joined politics. In my Bikaner constituency I have reduced pollution levels and opened schools and hospitals. I also wanted to build a bypass there, but have not been able to get the paperwork done.”

To remain fighting fit, Dharmendra regularly hits the gym. “For the Deols, the gym is like a temple. I bench press and this stabilises my blood pressure. Even at this age, I eat butter and drink lassi.”

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