The finale of 'Bigg Boss 19' on Sunday turned into an emotional tribute for the legendary actor Dharmendra, as host Salman Khan broke down while remembering the late star. Dharmendra, one of Bollywood's most beloved icons, passed away on November 24 in Mumbai at the age of 89, just days before his 90th birthday on December 8.
An Emotional On-Air Tribute
As he hosted the grand finale, Salman Khan, who shared an extremely close bond with the veteran, found it difficult to control his emotions. A special video clip showcasing memorable moments between Dharmendra and Salman from past seasons of 'Bigg Boss' was played, which deeply moved the host.
Speaking about Dharmendra's unparalleled legacy, Salman said, "I don't think there is a better man than Dharam ji. He lived his life to the fullest. He gave us 60 years of entertainment. He gave us Sunny, Bobby, Esha. From the moment he joined the industry until the very end, he only wanted to do good work. He did comedy, drama, and portrayed every emotion."
Salman Khan's Personal Connection and Career Inspiration
Salman Khan revealed that Dharmendra was the only actor whose career path he ever followed. "I've only followed my career graph as Dharam ji. Nobody else but Dharam ji," he confessed. He praised Dharmendra's unique persona, describing him as someone with "an innocent face and a he-man's body," a charm he retained until his last days.
The personal connection ran even deeper, as Salman highlighted the poignant coincidence of dates. Dharmendra passed away on November 24, which is Salman Khan's father's birthday. Furthermore, the veteran actor's 90th birth anniversary on December 8 (Monday) coincides with Salman Khan's mother's birthday. "So, Dharamji's birthday is with my mother's birthday and he passed away on my father's birthday," Salman shared, wiping away tears.
A Dignified Farewell and Lasting Legacy
Salman also spoke about the dignified manner in which Dharmendra's final rites were conducted. He mentioned that in his experience, only two prayer meets were carried out with the utmost grace and respect—one for producer Sooraj Barjatya's mother and the other for Dharmendra.
"There were funerals which got the most respect. Their prayer meeting was conducted with so much dignity and honour. Everyone was crying, but there was a respect that should be there. It should be a celebration of life. Hats off to Sunny, Bobby and the whole family," Salman stated, suggesting that every funeral should be conducted with such dignity.
Expressing his empathy for the grieving family, Salman concluded, "If I'm feeling like this, I don't know how Sunny, Bobby, Prakash aunty, Hema ji, Esha, Ahana must be feeling." His heartfelt tribute underscored the immense love and respect the film industry and the nation held for Dharmendra, who entertained audiences for over six decades.
