Indus Age in an Exclusive Conversation with the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood

Complied by Nikita Sharma and Isha Sahni

Recently, Mr. Rajesh Sharma from the Indus Age team had an exclusive interview with the ‘Veeru’ of Indian film industry, Dharmendra. He was in Sydney to promote his upcoming movie ‘Double Di Trouble’ which is releasing all over Australia on August 29. Excerpts of the interview:-

Q. From a small part of northern India (Punjab), you went to the western part – Mumbai. You are also called the ‘He-man’ of the Indian film industry. Tell us something about this journey of yours?

A. I am like an open book for the world, everyone knows all about my life. The journey has been a beautiful one. Today, the parents are very open-minded but our times were different, our parents were very conservative. By god’s grace I am a winner of All India Talent contest at that time. I was selected but despite that struggle is a part and parcel of life. Life, according to me is a struggle but one needs to love and enjoy it. We can’t just sit at one place, life will be over then. I am also moving ahead with it by my parent’s blessings.

 Q. You have spent your early life in the village Sahnewal and a lot of people say that till now if anyone from that village comes to meet you, you welcome them with an open heart. How true is that? And what is the reason behind you doing so?

A. Yes. I do meet people from Sahnewal village with an open heart but generally also whosoever comes to meet me I try my best to not let them down. I have a friendly and welcoming nature by God’s grace. I believe we become actors to be liked, to be loved and to be admired. Its not only for actors but it’s in human nature to feel all this and I think this profession gives you everything. When in this profession we want everything (to be loved, liked and admired) then it’s our duty to give back the fans, the audience and our admirers the same love.

Q. You have a loving nature, you loved Reshma Ji (the singer),
There is no comparison of yours in Acting but how did you begin writing Shayari? ‘Kahan Kismat Ki’, ‘Jugnu’, ‘Yaadon ki Baraat’ all these are commendable but how Shayari?

A. Dharmendra (smiles): You must watch Pratiggya, it’s my best film till now I feel. It depicted how a truck driver would behave when becomes police officer. Shayari came by itself. It was like “Jab koi baat kahe na bani, jab koi baat sune na bani, Khamoshi tanhai se, tanhai khamoshi se baaatien karne lagi. Aur guftgu-e- khamoshi tanhai mein nikalne lagi.” And that became shayari.

You are a musti tasker. A person in my opinion, who can be the ‘he-man’, a lady-killer, a comedian. You have played a variety of roles successfully. Like in the film ‘Chupke Chupke’, the spectrum you have given, I believe not everyone can do so.

A. The only drawback I felt was that I did not know how to present myself like most of the people today do.
Q. Your fans be it in the East, West, North or South. They are your true fans and your last few movies with your sons Bobby and Sunny are a delight to watch. And talking of awards, you have received so many of them. How do you feel about that?

A. Yes. ‘Apne’ was a very emotional film. For me the biggest award is that there is love in the hearts of people for me. There couldn’t be any better award than that.

Q. The role offered to Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Sholay’ was because of you. You never took credit of that or never accepted that yourself. Why?

A. I was used to accept it earlier but now as he himself says it, I also don’t deny that. I think if someone gets what he deserves then it’s a good thing.

Q. You have also been a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). What made you choose Politics?

I am an emotional person. I have a lot of respect for Shri Atal Bihari, he is an amazing leader. He has made the country aware and laid a step for development. I don’t involve myself too much into politics, it doesn’t suit me. I think the life that god has given me, I am happy with that.

The government awarded you with Padma Bushan, how do you feel about that?

I am very pleased and happy with it. I would like to thank Dr. Manmohan Singh, I really like him. I am this way with everyone. Those 5 years that I stayed in centre under the rule of the UPA government. I was standing opposite a Jaat in the elections. I have done a lot of that place and I would like to thank Congress for that. They have been really cooperative and have helped me through everything.
The entire industry loves and respects you a lot…

Everyone of the industry are like my kids and I love them a lot. I know they all love me too. Hrithik says, he keeps his photograph of mine in his closet. I feel happy. I have enjoyed every role I have played and I still have that fire burning in me. Nothing has changed for me and I am really very glad.

Any message you would like to give to Indians living in Australia?
In us Indians, the passion of working is amazing. The Indians living there should consider Australia as their mother land too. They should respect that country like their own. I would like to say we first are humans than anything else. We should be good at heart and stay off evil.