The world of Indian cinema mourned the passing of veteran actor Dharmendra, who left us at the age of 89 on November 24. While celebrated as Bollywood's beloved He-Man by millions of fans, Dharmendra was equally respected by his peers in the film industry, including the legendary Dilip Kumar.
The Heartfelt Confession at Filmfare Awards
At the 42nd Filmfare Awards, Dilip Kumar, often hailed as the 'Tragedy King' of Indian cinema, made a surprising and emotional revelation about his colleague. Kumar recalled the first time he saw Dharmendra and was immediately struck by his presence. "Bahut se saal hogaye jab Dharam ko maine pehli bar dekha tha, aur dekhte hi mere man me umang ayi ki Allah mereko aise hi bnaya hota to kya ho jata," Kumar expressed, wondering what might have been if God had created him with similar attributes.
He specifically praised Dharmendra's "khoobsoorat, haseen chehra" (beautiful, lovely face) and noted how spiritual light seemed to emanate from his eyes. Kumar observed that Dharmendra's simple nature made him exceptionally skilled at portraying tragedies, leading him to believe that the younger actor would eventually succeed him in this domain.
The Psychology Behind Celebrity Comparisons
This heartfelt admiration between two screen legends raises interesting questions about comparison psychology, even among the most successful individuals. We spoke with Neha Parashar, a clinical psychologist at Mindtalk, to understand this phenomenon better.
Parashar explained that comparison is a fundamental human behavior rooted in our evolutionary need to assess our position within social structures. She noted that even highly accomplished people aren't immune to this instinct. "The brain constantly seeks feedback to measure self-worth, and in today's hyperconnected digital world, exposure to curated versions of others' lives amplifies this urge," Parashar stated.
Managing Comparison and Self-Doubt
When asked about practical strategies to handle comparison-induced stress, Parashar recommended several approaches:
- Practicing self-awareness to recognize when comparison thoughts emerge
- Using cognitive reframing to shift perspective from 'they're better than me' to 'their journey is different from mine'
- Engaging in mindfulness meditation and gratitude journaling
- Setting intrinsic goals focused on personal growth rather than external validation
She emphasized that seeking professional therapy can be transformative in building a stronger, self-defined sense of worth that isn't dependent on external measures of success.
The touching moment between Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra serves as a reminder that even icons experience moments of self-doubt and admiration for others, making their humanity as relatable as their legendary screen performances.
