Dharmendra On His Idol Dilip Kumar

When it comes  to Dilip Kumar,even an iconic actor  like Dharmendra gets weak-kneed.

“Am I a fan of  Dilip Saab?  Of course I am! Which Indian actor is  not his fan? So many  have tried to be like him. But I don’t think  there can be  another Dilip Kumar…He was  one of his kind, ”  eulogizes  Dharmendra , himself  an  actor of legendary status.

“When  he  left us  I was bereft.He was  not only an actor I looked up to.I was lucky enough to be a part  of  his family. Hamara unke yahan aana-jana lagaa rehta ttha. I  was  always in touch with Saira when  Yusuf Saab was  unwell to inquire  about his  health. Saira  and I have done many films together.It was my sincere wish to do at least one film with  Yusuf Saab,” Dharamji says emotionally.

When  Dilip Kumar was directing Kalinga(eventually shelved) Dharmendra pleaded with  the Thespian for  a role. “I was eager and willing to  do any role. Regrettably I was not part  of Kalinga.”

Ask Dharmendra  about his favourite  Dilip  Kumar films and he says, “To name one  would be  impossible.I liked him in every  film he did. I’ve seen Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jumna, Devdas and Ram Aur Shyam  innumerable times.”