The passing of Bollywood's beloved icon Dharmendra last month cast a profound shadow of grief across the Indian film industry and the nation. Among those who shared a deep bond with the veteran actor was director Anil Sharma, the creative force behind films like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Apne. In a recent emotional interview, Sharma opened up about his cherished memories, taking fans back to the very first time he met the star, an encounter that left an indelible mark on his life.
The First Glimpse of a Legend
Anil Sharma's journey with Dharmendra began in 1980 on the sets of the multi-starrer film The Burning Train. At the time, a young Sharma, merely 17-18 years old, was working as an assistant. He found himself in the hallowed makeup room of the legendary Raj Kapoor at RK Studios. Sharma revealed a special privilege accorded only to Dharmendra: "Only Dharam ji was allowed access to Raj Kapoor sahab's makeup room. He had said that when Dharmendra comes, give my makeup room to him and nobody else."
Tasked as a costume assistant, Sharma was preparing outfit options when the news of Dharmendra's arrival rippled through the studio from the ground floor. Rushing down, he witnessed a scene of excitement. A Volkswagen car was surrounded by 30-40 people, including producers B.R. Chopra and Ravi Chopra. The car door opened, and Sharma caught his first glimpse. "I saw a glimpse of Dharam ji for the first time, sitting with Hema ji (Hema Malini) inside. I paused for a second and felt that I got everything in life," he recalled.
A Tired Star and a Determined Assistant
Dharmendra, having just come from the shoot of Razia Sultan, was fatigued. He expressed his desire to postpone the shooting by a day, informing the Chopras he would shoot tomorrow. However, the star-struck young Anil Sharma could not contain his urge to interact. He quickly filled out the call sheet for the next day's schedule and approached the car.
"I went to the main door and said, 'Sir, sir, sir.' He opened the van and asked who is it," Sharma narrated. Upon receiving the call sheet, Dharmendra inquired about it, as the practice was new at the time. After Sharma explained, Dharmendra smiled and asked if he was an assistant. Sharma confessed his true motive: "I admitted that I only came to meet him."
The Blessing That Shaped a Career
What followed was a brief but life-changing exchange. Dharmendra asked about Sharma's father, possibly knowing him, and then offered words that would become a guiding light. "He told me to work hard and I will become something one day," Sharma shared. The young assistant touched the actor's feet for blessings, to which Dharmendra warmly replied, "Jinde raho (live long)." Sharma emotionally added, "I still have that feeling with me today."
Reflecting on Dharmendra's unparalleled legacy, Anil Sharma stated unequivocally, "There has never been a person or actor like him, and can never be." He highlighted Dharmendra's humble self-assessment, quoting the star: "People used to ask him many times, where do you stand in the race. He used to say that I don't know about numbers, I just know that I am number one in people's hearts."
Sharma pointed to the massive, organic outpouring of love following Dharmendra's passing as proof of this connection. "You see, after he passed away, it's almost a month, there's nothing on social media besides him. Everyone is talking about him... The family wanted to spend the last moments with him alone... Not just India, even Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, England, making statues, everyone is talking about Dharmendra only," he concluded, painting a picture of a star whose appeal transcended all boundaries.
