When Dharmendra called Hema Malini 'most beautiful woman', said, 'I am very romantic and respect her a lot...'

With reports suggesting that his health is steadily improving, the Deol family is quietly preparing for a double celebration next month.

Dharmendra has spent more than six decades in the public eye, yet the parts of him that shine through the most are surprisingly simple: warmth, innocence, and an unshakable belief in love. As the veteran actor recovers at home after being discharged from the hospital, an old interview of his has resurfaced, reminding fans why he remains such an irreplaceable figure in Hindi cinema.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting. With reports suggesting that his health is steadily improving, the Deol family is quietly preparing for a double celebration next month. Dharmendra turns 90 on December 8, and his daughter Esha Deol, who didn’t celebrate her birthday on November 2 because of his condition, is expected to join in once her father is stronger.

The latest update from Bollywood Hungama painted a reassuring picture. According to the report, “the health of Bollywood’s beloved He-Man is steadily improving,” which has brought “relief to fans and the Deol family.” For someone who has lived as energetically as Dharmendra has, slowing down has never come naturally. His throwback reflections make that clear.

In a candid conversation with Rediff years ago, Dharmendra spoke about the boundless energy that shaped him. “I have always been very active since my young days. I would climb the banyan tree and would jump straight into a river, play kabbadi with people older than I, and have always kept myself fit. I have always been very daring. I have always felt young inside and it reflects on my face,” he said. The picture he painted was of a boy who never grew out of his sense of play, even as the world began calling him a star.

When asked whether the child within him kept him going, he responded with a mix of honesty and innocence. “Yes. The kid in me always reminds me of the journey that I have made to reach where I am today. I still take my sons (Sunny and Bobby Deol) and caress them in my arms like any father would do to a newborn baby. My soul is still very innocent, like that of a mischievous kid. I have not let success go to my head. Till today, I don’t feel that I am an actor. I love everyone and I just want to continue till the time I can.”

This sincerity has always separated Dharmendra from other stars of his era. Even at the peak of his stardom, he never hid behind bravado. He built a persona defined equally by action and affection, which is why his description of himself as a romantic continues to resonate.

“I am very romantic. I romance with life. There is a misconception that a He-Man is always strong and cannot be romantic. When a He-Man romances, nobody can do better than him,” he said with absolute conviction. It was classic Dharmendra — humorous, self-aware, and heartfelt.

But the part of the interview fans return to the most is his affectionate reflection on Hema Malini, his most iconic co-star and the woman who continues to be central to his life. Their partnership, both on screen and off, has been a subject of admiration for decades.

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Dharmendra spoke about her with a gentle pride that only deep companionship can create. “It has been a beautiful journey together. We have done so many films together and given so many hits. We are considered to be one of the best loved on-screen couples. We have a chemistry that is unbelievable and complement each other really well. I have always enjoyed working with her. She is the most beautiful woman I know. She is a very caring lady. I respect her a lot.”

As he continues to recover and prepares to mark a milestone birthday, these memories offer a fuller picture of the man behind the legend. They remind fans that beneath the action-hero image is someone who still carries the heart of a boy, the devotion of a family man, and the soul of a romantic who has never stopped romancing life itself.