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About two weeks after Dharmendra’s passing, Sony Entertainment Television will honour the legendary actor in a special episode of talent reality show Indian Idol 16. In promotional clips of the upcoming episode, veteran actor Jeetendra (83), who appears as the chief guest, is seen reminiscing about several cherished memories, including the story of his very first encounter with Dharmendra.
Jeetendra recounted the moment: “I wasn’t in films back then. I was at Churchgate with my friends. It was around the time Dharmendra’s first film, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, had released. This was in 1960, about 65 years ago. We spotted Dharmendra and started shouting, ‘Aye, Dharmendra!’ Eventually, he walked up to us and said, ‘Hanji, aapne mujhe yaad kiya?’ That’s how sweet he was.”
Jeetendra, who himself joined films a few years later, went on to talk about Dharmendra’s friendships within the industry.
He shared, “Dharmendra was great friends with Manoj Kumar—one came from Delhi and the other from Punjab. I have heard they even shared a room during their initial days. Their bond was such that if one had a screen test, they would share each other’s clothes. Many times, people would notice their similar shirts during rehearsals.”
Their friendship remained one of the truest in the industry. Manoj Kumar, who was two years younger than Dharmendra, also passed away this year. He breathed his last on April 4 at the age of 87, while Dharmendra died on November 24—just eight months later.
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Indian Idol airs on Saturday and Sunday nights at 8 pm on Sony Entertainment Television. It also streams on SonyLIV.
