Last Action Hero

He’s been referred to as India’s James Dean and as one of the Indian film industry’s most devastatingly handsome heroes,of all time. The iconic Dharmendra turned 75 yesterday and the year 2009 marks his 50 th year in films. “After a certain age you don’t celebrate birthdays,” smiles Dharmendra,who preferred a low key celebration with immediate family in Mumbai.

He reminisces about his films,his period of struggle and his phenomenal success in the 70s. The son of a village school teacher,Dharamendra was invited to Mumbai after winning a talent hunt contest. “I was offered a first class train ticket to Mumbai but I refused it as I was skeptical. I travelled third class. After reaching Mumbai I got a haircut (due to the humidity) and was told I look like James Dean. I had to go back to my hotel room to see who he was,” he recalls about his first day in Mumbai.

After starring in over 200 films,Dharmendra counts Satyakam ,Haqeeqat (1964) and Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) as his favourites.

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His more recent outings with sons Sunny and Bobby Deol may not have worked,but Dharam is enthusiastic about the upcoming Cheers-Celebrate Life with Bobby. The film is being directed by Sangeeth Sivan and also stars Nafisa Ali and Mughda Godse. “It has been in the pipeline for some time. From January the project will start,” he says.

Another project is Master,a thriller about conmen with Bobby and Sunny directed by Anil Sharma. We’ll be seeing a lot more of Bollywood’s original he-man this year.