IFFI to Honour Dharmendra with Special Closing Ceremony Tribute
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will present a special tribute to the legendary actor Dharmendra during its closing ceremony this week. The festival organizers received the heartbreaking news of the veteran star's passing on Monday morning. He breathed his last at his residence in suburban Mumbai at the age of 89.
A minute of silence was respectfully observed during the closing ceremony of the Film Bazaar segment. Festival authorities have confirmed that a dedicated homage will be held at the main closing event. This will transform the final day into an emotional farewell for an actor who was adored by multiple generations of cinema lovers.
Sholay Events Adjusted in Wake of Tragic News
A highly anticipated 4K restored screening of the iconic film 'Sholay', which was originally scheduled for November 26, has been cancelled. The cancellation was attributed to technical reasons.
Despite this, 'Sholay' remains a central theme of the festival. A special session titled “50 Years of Sholay: Why Sholay Still Resonates?” is still scheduled for November 27. This session will feature the film's director, Ramesh Sippy.
Adding to the poignant atmosphere, the iconic motorcycle used in the beloved song “Yeh Dosti” has been on display in a glass enclosure at the INOX theatre since the festival began. The bike, initially showcased to celebrate five decades of 'Sholay', has now spontaneously become a memorial for Dharmendra. Visitors are stopping by to remember the unforgettable camaraderie of his character, Veeru, and Amitabh Bachchan's Jai.
Film Fraternity Mourns the Loss of a Legend
The news of Dharmendra's death has triggered an outpouring of grief from across the film industry.
Filmmaker Karan Johar expressed his sorrow, writing, “Today there is a gaping hole in our industry… a space that can never be filled by anyone… there will always be the one and only DHARAMJI… we love you kind Sir…. We will miss you so much…. The heavens are blessed today…”
Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan shared rare photographs of Dharmendra with the legendary Raj Kapoor, captioning them with heart emojis and the words “Forever in power” and “Chardi Kala.”
Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas recalled his kindness, stating, “He and his family made me feel welcome in the industry, at a time when no one knew me.”
Anil Kapoor paid his respects by calling the late actor “Hero, Father, the OG Punjabi.”
Dharmendra's final screen appearance was in Karan Johar's recent hit, 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', which starred Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.
