‘शोले’ की शूटिंग में 50km पैदल चलकर पहुंचे थे धर्मेंद्र: डायरेक्टर रमेश सिप्पी ने शेयर किए धर्मेंद्र के किस्से

Veteran Hindi cinema actor Dharmendra (89) died on Monday morning at his home in Juhu. He was unwell for a long time and was undergoing treatment. His last rites were performed at Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai on Monday afternoon. The film Sholay has been one of the biggest hits of Dharmendra’s career. The director of this film, Ramesh Sippy, expressed grief while talking to Dainik Bhaskar after the demise of Dharmendra and shared his memories with him.

Dharmendra had traveled 50 kilometers on foot for the shooting of Sholay.

Remembering Dharmendra, Ramesh Sippy said that Dharam ji was a great actor as well as an extraordinary human being, a great personality and an open book like a child. I remember, there was a drug scene in ‘Sita Aur Geeta’ which we shot in a slum. Dharam ji did the scene with such ease that from there we became closer. Sometimes light drinks, sometimes his mischiefs, but he was extremely disciplined. I still remember one incident of his fitness. Sholay was shot in Ramanagaram and we used to stay at Hotel Ashoka, about 50 km away. One day Dharam ji woke up at 3 in the morning and left for the location on foot. When the unit reached by van, it was found that Dharam ji had reached on foot. This was his fitness.

Dharmendra played the role of Veeru in the film Sholay.

Ramesh Sippy further told that Dharam ji first wanted the role of ‘Thakur’ in ‘Sholay’. Then he said, ‘I have done the hero a lot, now I will do the villain (Gabbar)’. I said, okay, but Hema Malini will not be with you. He laughed as soon as he heard this. He had to work with Hema ji and ultimately he played the character of Veeru and immortalized her. On or off the set, his poetry used to create a crowd. He used to write himself and his couplets came from the heart. He was an amazing improviser.