Legendary icon Dharmendra is no more. The actor died on Monday at the age of 89. Several old interviews featuring members of the film fraternity speaking fondly of him and recalling cherished memories have resurfaced. One of them is when Jaya Bachchan recalled how nervous she was before being introduced to Dharmendra for the first time.
In an episode of the chat show Koffee with Karan, Jaya Bachchan shared, "I loved Dharmendra...You know, when I saw him for the first time and I was introduced to him, there was a sofa like this. I went and hid behind it. I was so nervous! I didn't know what to do. There was this fantastic-looking man. I still remember what he was wearing - white trousers and a white shirt - and he looked like a Greek God."
The actress added, "I should have played Basanti! Because I loved Dharmendra."
Dharmendra's Last Post With Jaya Bachchan
Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan were last seen together in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
Last year, Dharmendra shared a lovely BTS shot of the two from the sets of the film. In the photo, the duo, dressed as their characters, posed for the camera - Dharmendra seated while Jaya Bachchan stood behind him, her hands gently resting on his shoulders.
In his caption, Dharmendra wrote, "Guddi will always be my loving doll. She is a world-class artist, and she always talks highly of me. (From Guddi to Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.) (sic)."
About Guddi
In Guddi, Jaya Bachchan portrayed a schoolgirl who had a crush on Dharmendra, who played himself in the film. Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the movie also featured Sumita Sanyal, Utpal Dutt, Samit Bhanja, and A. K. Hangal in key roles.
Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan have shared the screen in several iconic films, including Sholay, Samadhi, Chupke Chupke, and Piya Ka Ghar, among others.
Dharmendra's Death
Dharmendra died on Monday at the age of 89. He had recently been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai and was discharged after showing signs of recovery.
Reports stated that he was placed on a ventilator due to breathing difficulties. The actor had been living at his farmhouse in Khandala with his first wife, Prakash Kaur, after relocating from Mumbai because of rising pollution levels.
His death follows a series of recent losses in the film industry, including those of Pankaj Dheer, Asrani, Satish Shah, and advertising veteran Piyush Pandey, who passed away last month.
Dharmendra's Last Rites
Veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan arrived at the Pawan Hans crematorium on Monday to pay their respects to Dharmendra, who died yesterday.
They were photographed arriving in their cars amid heavy police deployment. Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Zayed Khan, and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur were also seen at the crematorium, along with members of the late actor's family.
ALSO READ | Dharmendra Dies At 89: Saira Banu Says, "Too Upset To Talk, Will Always Miss Him"
