The death of legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra has sent shockwaves through the film industry. Many are calling it the end of an era in Indian cinema. Just hours before news of his passing broke on November 24, a new poster from his upcoming film ‘Ikkis’ had been released.
‘Ikkis’ will be Dharmendra’s final film, scheduled for release on December 25. His co-star in the movie, Suhasini Mulay, has now shared insights into the veteran actor’s health and behaviour during the shoot.
In an interview with News18, Suhasini revealed that despite being 89 years old, Dharmendra had not lost his incredible sense of timing. Though the two shared only a few short scenes, she said his timing and dialogue delivery remained impeccable.
Suhasini recalled their first meeting on set:
“When I first met him, he was sitting on a chair. He noticed that I was struggling to stand, so he immediately got up. He was such a gentleman. Even though he stood up with some difficulty, he insisted I take his chair.”
She added, “I told him he should sit and that I could request another chair. But he said, ‘Aap baithengi, tabhi main baithunga, nahi toh main kaise baith sakta hoon?’ (I will sit only after you sit. Otherwise, I can’t sit.) Despite being such a huge star, he never made anyone feel small. Fans would come for photos, and even though he couldn’t stand easily, he would sit with them and never refuse a picture.”
Dharmendra's Love for Parathas
Suhasini also revealed a lighter moment from the shoot. Dharmendra loved eating parathas. While staying at a hotel, he once told the film’s director that he wished to eat parathas, though he wasn’t allowed to have them due to health reasons.
“I told him I had one paratha with me,” she said. “He immediately asked me to smuggle one or two for him and added that parathas should always be eaten with ghee!”
