When Dharmendra said Salman Khan is the perfect choice for his biopic, said, "Wo mere jaisa he hai, he is shy, uski aur meri..."

When Dharmendra said Salman Khan is the perfect choice for his biopic, said, "Wo mere jaisa he hai, uski aur meri..."

Dharmendra’s passing has left the film industry shaken, marking the end of one of Bollywood’s longest and most influential journeys. The 89-year-old actor had been battling prolonged health issues, including recurring heart and respiratory complications, and had recently been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai in critical condition. Despite temporary signs of improvement and a brief discharge to continue treatment at home, his health deteriorated again, leading to his death early this morning. Fans, colleagues and generations of admirers are mourning not just a superstar, but a warm, grounded man whose presence shaped Hindi cinema for six decades.

As the film industry reflects on Dharmendra’s extraordinary life and legacy, an old interview of the legendary actor has resurfaced, reminding fans of the deep admiration he held for Salman Khan.

One such story dates back to 2015, when Dharmendra was asked in a conversation with Bollywood Life who he believed could portray him in a biopic. Without hesitation, he took Salman Khan’s name. “Salman Khan. I think he has a lot of characteristics which are very similar to mine. I think he will be able to portray me onscreen perfectly,” Dharmendra had said. The statement has resurfaced repeatedly on social media, with fans echoing that the pairing feels both natural and symbolic.

Dharmendra had also said, "Wo mere jaisa he hai, uski aur meri kaafi saree aadatein ekdusre se milti hai."
The admiration ran both ways, but Dharmendra often spoke of Salman with particular affection. In another interview, he praised the younger superstar as a “genuine” human being. He said, “Today, if I call anyone from the industry, everyone will be there because of my family’s goodwill. Salman himself is a very good human being. I love him; he’s a wonderful person. He’s genuine.”

Also Read: Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor arrive at crematorium to pay last respects to veteran actor Dharmendra

Dharmendra also shared a vivid memory of the first time he ever saw Salman Khan. “Once I was shooting a film near a lake, and that was the first time I saw Salman. He was quite shy then and even today, he is very shy. While shooting, the camera dropped into the lake and he dived in to take it out. At that time, I thought, ‘He’s quite courageous too.’ He is an emotional man. If you aren’t a good person, you are nothing.” The anecdote has since become a fan favourite, highlighting the warmth that defined their bond.

The two actors eventually worked together in the 1998 hit Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, a collaboration that remains memorable for audiences. Salman Khan was also among the first celebrities to rush to Breach Candy Hospital earlier this week to check on Dharmendra during his critical phase, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by fans and industry colleagues.