Director Rahul Rawail recently attended the 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where he held a special session to remember the late actor Dharmendra, who passed away on Monday.
Memories of a Legend
After the session, Rawail shared his feelings, stating, “I am blessed that I knew him, and that somebody’s hand was on me. I couldn’t meet him because I did not want to disturb him at that time. It was a time when the family got to be close to him.”
He added, “So it may not be right. I could sit here all night and talk to you about it. I met Dharamji about 8 months back. I had gone to his farm just to say, ‘Hello’ to him. That’s it. And very hospitable. So I have some great memories. At the moment also, I don’t know how I am going to react to this. Because he was very, very close.”
A Cinematic Icon
Dharmendra was one of Bollywood’s most enduring and beloved stars. Born in 1935 in Punjab, he began his career in the early 1960s after being discovered through a talent hunt competition. In the late 1950s, Filmfare magazine, in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions, organized a nationwide talent contest to find new faces for Hindi cinema.
Dharmendra entered the competition and won in 1958, chosen for his striking looks and natural charm. This victory opened the door to the film industry for him. Notably, the same talent hunt later discovered Rajesh Khanna, one of Hindi cinema’s biggest superstars.
Legacy of Excellence
He quickly rose to fame with his charming looks, emotional depth, and effortless screen presence. His versatility allowed him to excel in romance, action, and comedy alike. Some of his most iconic films include ‘Phool Aur Patthar’, which established him as a leading man, and ‘Sholay’, where his portrayal of the lovable, witty Veeru became legendary.
In recognition of his contributions to cinema, Dharmendra received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India.