Why versatile macho super-actor Dharmendra-jee 'never' wanted to 'Retire' from acting in Hindi movies? By Sr. Journalist Chaitanya Padukone

Benevolent versatile Superstar actor Dharmendra the original ( garam-Dharam ) rugged he-man of Bollywood with a heart-of-gold !  Since 1984 onwards. it has always been an honour and such a pleasure to frequently interact with the Living Legend of Bollywood !  The original he-man Dharmendra ( garam-yet naram Dharam) ) who has always been a brave-fighter when it come to any of his health-crisis ! Always warm-hearted, with abundant apnapan, very witty and modest by nature I have amazing memories of meeting media-friendly Dharam-paaji at various film-parties and even at location shootings ( like during 1987  producer Pahlaj Nihalani's action thriller super-hit movie 'Aag Hi Aag' location at Sippynagar-Bengaluru--where blockbuster 'Sholay' (1975) was also shot !.   

Beneath Dharam-jee’s rugged exterior lies an emotional instant-shaayar-poet who loves to laugh at himself.  When last year I asked Dharam-jee whether he ever planned to ‘Retire’ from acting, he laughed and reacted .“ For me, acting in films is not a profession, woh meri mehbooba hai ( acting is my sweetheart). Whenever I take a long break, she cajoles me to return in front of the camera. Even to this day, she is always loyal to me,” quipped legendary veteran actor Dharmendra, who even at 89 years of age has the zeal, zest of a 39-year-old!

Interestingly, since Bobby Deol and I share the same birthday (January 27), I used to greet Bobby Deol and also take papa Dharam-jee's blessings on that same day ! . Dharmendra had impressed his millions of fans with his mature romantic role and natural performance opposite Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi in Karan Johar's 2023 movie 'Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani'. With his emotional apnapan Dharam-pajji always lives up to the romantic title of his 1960 debut film 'Dil Bhi Tera--Hum Bhi Tere' !

We at Mayapuri and bollyy.com are praying for and wishing 'he-man' Dharam-jee a get-well-soon speedy recovery!