Sriram Raghavan recalls Dharmendra’s refusal to play RAW Chief in Agent Vinod: 'RAW head yaar…'

When Dharmendra refused role in Agent Vinod

• Sriram Raghavan recalls working with Dharmendra on Johnny Gaddar
• Dharmendra declined a role in Agent Vinod as RAW head
• Ikkis became Dharmendra's final film before his passing

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It was a moment of quiet reflection when Sriram Raghavan spoke about the late Dharmendra at an event organised by the Screenwriters Association.

Looking back on their association, Sriram Raghavan shared not just professional memories but glimpses of the warmth and individuality that defined Dharmendra — both as an actor and as a person.

Sriram Raghavan first directed Dharmendra in Johnny Gaddar, and the experience clearly left a lasting impression. Hoping to collaborate again, Sriram Raghavan approached him while developing Agent Vinod.

He had written a part for Dharmendra as the head of RAW, imagining a layered storyline that would also feature Zeenat Aman. Recalling the exchange, Sriram Raghavan said, "After Johnny Gaddar, I told him I want to work with you again, and he said, 'Yes, of course'. When I was doing Agent Vinod, I remember we had written a role for the head of RAW, and his counterpart was going to be Zeenat Aman; we wanted her to be in Russia. So, it was an older and a younger story."

However, Dharmendra chose not to take it on. As Sriram Raghavan remembered, "But it was all in the writing stage. When I met him and told him about this role, he said, 'RAW, head, yaar, tumh log wahi (you guys do that), it'll be India, Pakistan, I don't want to do it'. He didn't want to get involved in that, I said, 'I respect that'. Then, we didn't pursue that track at all."

Their creative paths eventually crossed again in Ikkis, which would become Dharmendra’s final film before his passing on 24 November 2025. Speaking about working with him on Ikkis, Sriram Raghavan’s affection was evident. "Dharam ji was among the first people to whom I narrated the story. He loved it unconditionally. How do I work with him, I go to him with the scene and tell him, 'Let's see how we can do, what we can do'. He's full of ideas; he has so many things to say. I remember telling him that I must have a poem of his in the film and he suggested, 'Aisa kuch ho sakta hai (Soething like this can happen')."

Also Read: Dharmendra Net Worth: Know everything about veteran actor's properties, restaurants, car collection and luxurious assets

Ikkis, based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, tells a moving story of courage and loss across two timelines. While the film received appreciation for its gentle, peace-oriented tone, it did not draw large crowds to cinemas.