Mumbai: In the latest episode of the popular game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, host Amitabh Bachchan paid an emotional tribute to his friend and ‘Sholay’ co-star, Dharmendra.
Talking about Dharmendra’s last film ‘Ikkis’, Big B said, “Film Ikkis is the last precious memento for us, which was left behind for millions of people. An artist wants to practice art till the last breath of his life, and this is exactly what my friend, my family, my idol, Mr. Dharmendra Deol did.”
He added, “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.”
The segment, which spoke volumes of Dharmendra’s contribution to Indian cinema and the impact the legend had on his colleagues, featured ‘Ikkis’ director Sriram Raghavan and actor Jaideep Ahlawat as guests.
Sharing his thoughts on working with the legend, the director 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.”
Speaking about his experience of working with Dharmendra, Jaideep said, “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.”
Meanwhile, recalling an incident from the sets of ‘Sholay’, Big B shared, “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.”
Dharmendra passed away on November 24, at the age of 89 due to age-related illness.
Kaun Banega Crorepati airs every Friday on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV at 9:00 PM.
