Mathura, December 13 –People rushed to offer prayers to legendary actor Dharmendra in a prayer meet organised today by Mathura MP Hema Malini.
In an emotional speech, Hema Malini said that she never imagined that a time would come in her life where she would have to organise a prayer meet for her beloved Dharm ji. “It was an inconsolable shock, the snapping of companionship that stood the test of time. It was a long association of 57 years, we did 45 films together, where more than 25 movies were superhit,” she added.
He was a proud father of my daughters Esha and Ahana, full of affection and love, and got them married at the right time. He was a loving grand-father (Nanu) for his five grand-children. He shared love with all the members of my family, she said.
A writer of Naya Zamana, Action Hero of Jugnu, Viru in Sholey, Truck Driver in Pratigya, Avid Hindi lover of Chupke Chupke, Kinara, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Sanskrit Teacher of Dillagi, Satyakam, Yadon Ki Barat, Yakut of Rajia Sultan, Ali Baba of an Indo-Russian joint production movie, Ali Baba Chalees Chor has won the hearts of millions across the world.
Dharma ji was a wonderful Urdu Shyar and penned down some wonderful Urdu Shayri (poem) , which is unknown to many. He was able to come up with a “sher” at any time, as per the situation. He was planning to write a book on Shyari, on her advice, but unfortunately left before it could be executed. “I will get this work done, and we will come out with a book of his Urdu shyari”, she added.
He contested and won the Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency with a huge margin in the 2004 Lok Sabha Election and performed remarkably well in his five year term. But acting was his only love, and he never enjoyed politics and left it. He campaigned for me in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Hema Malini said.
He promised that next time he will visit Mathura, he will go inside any house and eat, but unfortunately, this was not fulfilled, she added.
Dharm ji treats every Individual with dignity. People love him for his beautiful smile, joyfulness, humour and the way he treats individuals. It is hard to earn so much respect, which Dharm ji got from others.
His life is a celebration, who influenced so many people in this world as an actor, as a family man and as a lovable human being. We all will miss him. I am learning to live with it, Hema Malini said.
Director Anil Sharma, who hails from Mathura, said that he still can’t believe that Dharam ji is no more. This is a heartbreaking moment for me. I am sure that all of Dharm Ji’s friends are feeling the same pain. I met him for the first time when I was working with B.R. Chopra as an assistant Director. I became his fan after watching his movies.
I saw him being friendly with everyone. While shooting for Hukumat in Nainital, some 40 -50 thousand people came to see him, but he never complained and even ate in between them. He helped me when we had a financial crisis during the shoot and asked me to make a good film, the money comes and goes, he said.
He used to give 7 to 8 hit movies, but never got intoxicated by fame. He was humble and was friendly with everyone. “He was full of life when I met him in October. He asked me to come out with a good character for him. I want to do something,” Anil Sharma said.
Janardan Sharma, who is working with Hema Malini as her representative, shared one incident where, while campaigning at Baldev area in 2014, he very joyfully said, “agar Hema ko vote nahi diya to main pani ki tanki pe chad jaounga.”
Sharing his memories, Baldev MLA Puran Prakash said that the people of this city had fond memories of Dharm ji. Everyone remembers his joyful, loving and humorous nature, which makes every moment fun.
Ex-CLP leader Pradeep Mathura describes Dharmendra as a legendary actor and a wonderful human being.
The prayer meet also presented two documentaries, one made by Director Anil Sharma and the other having Urdu Shayri by Dharmendra as background. A Bhajan Evening was also organised at the prayer meet. Daughters of Hema Malini Esha Deol and Ahana Deol couldn’t accompany her due to some problems.
