It's difficult to recreate the allure of Bollywood's golden age, when opulence, bodyguards, and tinted SUVs weren't barriers to superstardom. Even the biggest stars found happiness in the small things, and simplicity was the norm.
Legends Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini recalled those fun, carefree times on a Kaun Banega Crorepati episode, sharing stories that showed everyone that there is a more sensible side to celebrity.
Using his trademark warmth, Amitabh Bachchan recounted a humorous story about the always charming Dharmendra, whom he lovingly refers to as Dharam ji. He recalled that the two would frequently ride in the same car to and from movie sets.
“Dharam ji aur main toh dono ek hee gaadi main aate the aur vaapas bhi aate the aur bhaisaab ek baar ajeeb hogya, aisa hua ki Dharam ji aur hum log nikle aur Bangalore main sabse bheed bhaad waali jagah hai na udhar se gaadi jaani thi, voh gaadi hogyi kharaab aur teen-chaar aadmi aagye dharam ji ko dekhne aur ekdm gher liya, Dharam ji ne kha ki koi baat nahi koi baat nhi tu chal, mere saath chal, toh hum log aise hee dono bhaar nikle, aur bagal main ek auto jaa rha tha aur auto pr gye hum dono raam garan.”
[Dharam ji and I used to travel in the same vehicle, both going and coming back together. And one time, something unusual happened. Dharam ji and I set out, and in Bangalore—the place that’s always crowded—we had to go somewhere. The vehicle broke down, and three or four people came up and surrounded Dharam ji. Dharam ji said, “It’s okay, don’t worry. You come with me.” So, the two of us just walked out like that. Meanwhile, an auto was passing by, and we both got into the auto]
Big B smiled as he recalled how their car had broken down in one of Bangalore’s busiest streets.
Within moments, fans surrounded them thrilled to catch a glimpse of Dharmendra. But instead of panicking, the two superstars decided to do what any regular person might: they flagged down a passing auto-rickshaw and carried on with their journey.
Meanwhile, Dharmendra himself has been in the news recently for health reasons. The 89-year-old veteran, who was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, is now recovering at his Juhu home. His wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, along with their children, have been by his side, ensuring he regains strength.
The actor’s brief hospital stay sparked concern and even false rumours online, which both Hema Malini and Esha Deol quickly dismissed on social media, assuring fans that he was doing well.
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol in Punjab, the actor’s journey from a small-town boy to one of India’s most celebrated film stars is the stuff of legend. His charm, energy, and versatility helped him dominate Hindi cinema for decades.
Industry insiders from the 1970s and 1980s recall how commanding his star power was. Back then, Dharmendra charged between Rs 5 and Rs 15 lakh per film — a record-breaking figure for that time. For the 1975 classic Sholay, his fee became a benchmark in Bollywood economics.
Despite an ensemble cast that included Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, Dharmendra reportedly received the highest pay: ₹1.5 lakh for his role as Veeru, while Bachchan earned ₹1 lakh. It was a reflection of the sheer magnetism he held over audiences.
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