In a poignant reflection, acclaimed actor Jaideep Ahlawat has shared a deeply heartwarming and humorous memory from the sets of the upcoming film 'Ikkis', where he had the privilege of sharing screen space with the late cinematic legend, Dharmendra. The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is set to be the final on-screen appearance of Dharmendra, who passed away on Monday, 24th November, at the age of 89.
A Special Collaboration Across Generations
While promoting the last season of his show 'Paatal Lok', Ahlawat, celebrated for his powerful performances in projects like 'Jaane Jaan', 'Maharaj', and the upcoming 'The Family Man 3', opened up about the unforgettable experience of working on 'Ikkis'. The film, which also stars Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, brings together actors from three different generations. Ahlawat expressed that while the project was already special due to its director and subject matter, the opportunity to work alongside Dharmendra elevated it to an entirely new level.
Recalling his first interaction with the veteran actor, Jaideep described the moment with immense fondness and admiration. He portrayed Dharmendra as being every bit as gracious, warm, and charismatic as his legendary status suggests. "He had some of the best one-liners I've ever heard, his humour is amazing," Ahlawat remarked, highlighting the qualities that endeared the star to fans for over six decades.
The Unforgettable Driving License Anecdote
Jaideep then narrated a specific memory that perfectly encapsulates Dharmendra's natural wit and effortless charm. "On my first day, Sriram Sir introduced me to him, I touched his feet and he blessed me," he began. Their first scene together involved Ahlawat driving a car with Dharmendra seated beside him. The scene required him to drive in a straight line, and if there were retakes, they had to drive the car back to the original mark.
"The road was a little uneven," Jaideep explained. "I thought an assistant director would come, and we would have to get down again, etc., so I decided to reverse the car myself." After watching him perform this maneuver a few times, Dharmendra, with his signature humour, quipped, "Puttar, hun tainu driving license mil sakda hai" (Son, now you'll definitely get your driving license). Ahlawat laughed as he recalled the moment, adding, "That's how funny the man is."
A Simple Observation with a Lasting Impact
Beyond the humour, Jaideep also shared another small but striking detail from their meeting. He recalled being in awe of Dharmendra's strong, strikingly large hands. "I have fairly big hands but Sir (Dharam ji) has even bigger hands," he said, laughing softly. This simple observation conveyed the overwhelming feeling of standing beside a cinematic giant who had shaped the imaginations of multiple generations. The memory of Dharmendra's blessing, his humour, and his towering presence is one that Jaideep Ahlawat will undoubtedly cherish forever, making 'Ikkis' a profoundly significant chapter in his career.
