The Indian film industry mourns the loss of veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away this month at 89, but his legacy extends far beyond his iconic screen roles. While celebrated as a cinematic legend, Dharmendra's true heroism manifested off-camera through countless acts of quiet generosity that supported struggling filmmakers and actors throughout his career.
The Night Shifts That Saved Punjabi Cinema
Director Anil Sharma, a close family friend of the Deols, recently shared heartwarming insights into Dharmendra's behind-the-scenes contributions. Dharmendra regularly shot Punjabi films late at night, often after completing his own busy shooting schedules. According to Sharma, people would approach the actor after 9 PM, requesting scenes for their regional productions.
"Dharam ji has done a film with every single person, and he has done all types of films. He has helped so many people," Sharma revealed during an emotional conversation. The director emphasized that Dharmendra's willingness to work unconventional hours demonstrated his deep commitment to supporting the broader film community.
Free Work That Fueled Careers
What made Dharmendra's contributions extraordinary was his refusal to accept payment for these late-night sessions. Anil Sharma recalled how filmmakers would plead with the star, saying "Paaji, mera ghar chal jayega, meri picture bik jayegi" (My movie will be able to sell, and I'll be able to run my household).
Dharmendra consistently performed in these films without charging any fee, simply instructing the filmmakers to meet him wherever he was shooting. He would then dedicate a couple of hours to their projects, providing his star power and expertise completely free of charge. This generosity helped numerous Punjabi filmmakers sustain their careers and households during challenging times.
Final Days and Industry Tributes
Anil Sharma also shared poignant memories of Dharmendra's final days, noting that the actor had shown signs of recovery before his passing. "I went to his home. He had recovered. He would open his eyes and even move his hands," Sharma remembered. Medical professionals had expressed optimism about his condition, repeatedly noting that Dharamji bahut strong aadmi hain (Dharmendra is a very strong man).
Despite this resilience, age ultimately proved insurmountable. The entire film community had been hopeful about celebrating his 90th birthday on December 8, making his passing particularly poignant for those who knew him personally and professionally.
The November 27 prayer meet, described by the family as a 'Celebration Of Life', saw an unprecedented gathering of Bollywood luminaries across generations. Stars including Rekha, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Vidya Balan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff, and many others came together to honor the beloved actor's memory and support the grieving Deol family.
Dharmendra's legacy as both an on-screen icon and off-screen benefactor continues to inspire the industry he loved so deeply, proving that true stardom extends beyond camera frames and into human hearts.
