Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was seen getting emotionally charged on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati as the episode opened with a heartfelt tribute to the beloved ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema, Dharmendra.
A visibly teary-eyed Amitabh, whose voice quivered as he spoke about his friend, family member, and lifelong inspiration, reminisced about his ‘Veeru.’ Reflecting on Dharmendra’s final cinematic offering, Ikkis, Amitabh shared, “The film Ikkis is the last precious memento for us, which was left behind for millions of people. An artist wants to practise art till the last breath of his life, and this is exactly what my friend, my family, and my idol, Mr. Dharmendra Deol, did.”
His voice softened as he continued, “Mr. Dharam was not just a person. He was feeling, and a feeling never lets you go. It becomes a memory, a blessing that keeps you going.” Amitabh fondly remembered a poignant moment from Sholay, stating, “We were shooting in Bangalore. He had what I call a physical quality — he was a wrestler, a hero. In the death scene, the agony you saw on screen was real because of the way he held me so tightly that the pain turned into natural acting.” This anecdote highlighted Dharmendra not only as a screen legend but as an instinctive artist who elevated those around him.
Adding to the tribute, Sriram Raghavan, the director of Ikkis, appeared on KBC to promote the film and said, “I am very blessed that he is working in my last film and that his last film is something he is extraordinarily good at.”
Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, also part of Ikkis, echoed this sentiment, sharing, “I was lucky to have most of my scenes with him. On set, it never felt like a superstar was sitting with us; he felt like family.”
For those unfamiliar, Dharmendra and Amitabh’s iconic characters, Jai and Veeru, from the cult classic Sholay, continue to resonate even 50 years after the film’s release. Their friendship extended beyond the screen, enhancing their status as one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated on- and off-screen duos.