Blessings from Dilip Kumar, Affection from Jharkhand — Dharmendra’s Untold Bond

Bollywood’s legendary He-Man Dharmendra, is no more, and while the industry mourns the loss of a shining star at the age of 89, stories from his remarkable journey are resurfacing — including the beautiful and lesser-known bond he shared with Jharkhand.

Dharmendra Pursues Films Inspired by Dilip Kumar

A devoted admirer of the Tragedy King Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra decided to pursue a career in films the very day he watched Shaheed, starring Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal. In 1960, after being signed for his debut film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, he went straight to Dilip Kumar’s residence in Pali Hill (Bandra) to seek his blessings.

That very day, fate introduced Dharmendra to the famous sweet sugarcane of Badkagaon (Hazaribagh, Jharkhand). Coincidentally, actress Nargis’s mother, Jaddan Bai, arrived at Dilip Kumar’s home carrying sugarcane from Badkagaon — something Dilip Kumar loved dearly. It was here that Dharmendra tasted Badkagaon’s sugarcane for the first time — an experience he cherished for life.

In the 1950s–60s, Jaddan Bai frequently visited Hazaribagh. She would stay at Zarina Villa in Deepugarha — the residence of the first IG of united Bihar, Abdul Hameed — and would always return to Mumbai with sugarcane for Dilip Kumar.

As time passed, Dharmendra became a rising star, but the taste of Badkagaon’s sugarcane and the warmth of Jharkhand’s people stayed with him forever.

During the 30-day shoot of Rishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam in Ghatsila with Sharmila Tagore, he arranged for Badkagaon sugarcane for the entire unit. In 1966, during the shoot of Mohabbat Zindagi Hai in Dhanbad — where he stayed for 17 days — he continued this heartfelt tradition.

Dharmendra’s affection for Jharkhand went far beyond sugarcane. He was deeply mesmerized by the region’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant folk arts. He admired traditional dance forms such as Chhau, Paika, Domkach, Jhumar, Phagua, Phirkal, and Agni Dance.

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