The moviegoers and the film industry at large are in mourning as everyone’s favourite actor, Dharmendra, passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, November 24. As expected, tributes poured in from several actors and film personalities. On the night of November 24, superstar Shah Rukh Khan wrote a heartfelt post wherein he called the deceased actor a father figure. In 2024, Dharmendra posted a picture with SRK and in 2023, he also wished him luck for Jawan. Bollywood Hungama went through the archives and found many fascinating quotes from Dharmendra, which prove the deep bond they shared.
In July 2015, possibly during the promotions of Second Hand Husband, Dharmendra revealed that Shah Rukh Khan had once advised him that the Deols should promote and market their films well to grab eyeballs. This was in context to Apne (2007), which starred Dharmendra and his two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
Dharmendra said, “Apne was a good film and there was no film like this in the sports genre. A lot of films in the sports genre got support from the media, but our film did not. I remember Shah Rukh Khan had once told me I should have promoted and marketed it well to grab attention.”
The veteran actor clarified that Sunny Deol did not believe in the concept of promotions, “Sunny thinks doing too much promotion is like blowing your own trumpet.”
At the 42nd Filmfare Awards, held in February 1997, Dharmendra was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shah Rukh Khan came on stage to give his introduction speech and he had tears in his eyes while describing Dharam ji’s greatness.
Dharmendra called Shah Rukh Khan his “chota bhai” and added, “Dilip Kapoor Saab, Raj Kapoor Saab, Dev Anand Saab gave me inspiration and actors like Shah Rukh Khan and my two sons are giving me competition. Jab tak unki heroine ke saath romance nahin karunga, chod ke jaunga nahin!”
In an interview in December 2015, held as part of his 80th birthday celebrations, the veteran actor confessed that he was jealous of SRK. He exulted, “I wish I could become so young again that all heroines work with me aur unko jee bhar ke lipat jau! I want to do such romantic scenes with these heroines ki log fir yaad karein ki 60s, 70s aur 80s wala Dharmendra wapis aa gaya!”
He continued, “I feel very jealous when I see Shah Rukh. Itni khoobsurat ladkiyon ke saath yeh romance kar raha hai! Toh main kyun nahin? I don’t believe in the idea of age.”
More Pages: Apne Box Office Collection , Apne Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.