Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live

I WILL NOT LET ANYONE MAKE MY BIOPIC: DHARMENDRA

The veteran actor says biopics are of no consequenc­e because people eventually forget stars

- Yashika Mathur yashika.mathur@htlive.com

From cricketer MS Dhoni to boxing champion Mary Kom, and now actor Sanjay Dutt, biopics have been made in Bollywood on a number of well-known personalit­ies. However, the moment you ask veteran actor Dharmendra about a film being made on his life’s journey, he immediatel­y rubbishes the question. Clearly he is not a fan of the format.

“Mere pe biopic banega bhi nahi aur main banne bhi nahi doonga. (There will never be a biopic made on me and I will not let anyone make it). What is the need for it? I think it does not last in the minds of people,” he says and goes on to use a poetic verse to elaborate on the thought. Interestin­gly, the 81-year-old has a life story that is straight out of a Hindi potboiler. He comes from humble roots in Punjab and became one of India’s biggest cinestars in the ‘70s. Add to that his interestin­g personal life, in which he married actor Hema Malini despite him being married with children before.

Explaining why he does not believe in biopics, he adds, “People will write a book on you and make a film on you, but then they will move on to the next person.” He then asks, “Do you remember anything about Dilip Kumar sahab? Till today, for me, he is the biggest star of India, but this generation doesn’t know much about him.”

Dharmendra is currently working in an IndoAustra­lian short film, Dream Catcher, and is excited about his grandson Karan (Sunny Deol’s son) making his Bollywood debut. Speaking about it, the proud grandfathe­r says, “Karan is a shy boy, like Sunny. He is working very hard, but there is always some amount of tension when it comes to making a mark in films. But it is important to be tense because it keeps you attentive. Even now, I feel tense about my work,” he says.

Do you remember anything about Dilip Kumar sahab? Till today, for me, he is the biggest star of India, but this generation doesn’t know much about him DHARMENDRA, ACTOR

 ?? PHOTO: MANOJ VERMA/HT ??
PHOTO: MANOJ VERMA/HT

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India