I am still a man with small money, says Dharmendra

He’s been a bona fide star of Hindi cinema for almost 58 years now, and the HeMan’s still got it. As we settle down to chat, Dharmendra asks for his makeup man, adjusts his hair, and knows which light he will look the best in. All this because he knows that all eyes are on him when he’s present in a crowded room.

“It’s my passion,” he begins when you ask him how he’s managed to sustain himself for so many years. “I am in love with acting, it’s not my profession, it’s my beloved. Main rooth jaata hoon toh yeh mana leti hai, yeh rooth jaati hai toh main mana leta hoon. We have spent such a long time together, we never left each other. It will go on as long as it’s possible, and we will maintain this relationship throughout,” he says.

Sholay (1975), Dharamveer (1977), Jugnu (1973), Pratigya (1975) — these are some of the best known films of the actor. In his time, a film running in theatres for many weeks in a row was a bigger achievement, than the amount of money it earned. However, today, it’s all about the ₹100 and ₹200 crore clubs. What does the veteran have to say about this?

“I don’t like that. I am still a man with small money. I understand only thousands and lakhs. I also don’t get excited about it. Just ho gaya yaar, bas. Sab kuchh paake bhi haasil-e-zindagi kuchh bhi nahi, humne dekhe hain ek se ek sikander khaali haath jaate huye,” says Dharmendra.

He gets emotional when you ask him what keeps him going at the age of 82.

“I am still hungry for films, I still think I am a newcomer. Why? Because I want to live in the heart of people. When I go, people should feel hamara koi jaa raha hai. I am a human being, I want to stay connected to humanity. I want to give back to the place I am born in, as much as I can, through my films,” says Dharmendra, who was recently seen in Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se, with sons, Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol.

Ask him how it was working with his kids, and he says, “I love working with my family. Who doesn’t like it? If you can make a film among yourselves, then why to run here and there? I enjoy with apne log, and they, too, like it with me.” He’s happy that after his sons, now his grandson Karan Deol, too, is set to make his acting debut.

“I am happy for him. I pray for him that he does his best,” is all that Dharmendra says.

I am in love with acting, it’s not my profession, it’s my beloved. Main rooth jaata hoon toh yeh mana leti hai, yeh rooth jaati hai toh main mana leta hoon. We have spent such a long time together, we never left each other. DHARMENDRA, ACTOR

PHOTO: SHIVAM SAXENA/HT