GG News Bureau
Panaji, 25th Nov: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) paid an emotional tribute to legendary actor Shri Dharmendra, who passed away on September 24, 2025. The memorial event, held on Tuesday, brought together filmmakers, cinephiles, and admirers to honour one of Indian cinema’s most enduring icons.
Renowned filmmaker Rahul Rawail led the remembrance, describing Dharmendra as an “iconic actor and an exceptional human being.” He urged audiences to celebrate the actor’s extraordinary life, even as his family continues to face the immense pain of his loss.
Rawail recalled his early memories with the superstar during the making of Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker, where Dharmendra portrayed trapeze artist Mahendra Kumar with remarkable commitment. He narrated how the actor would shuttle between Delhi and Mumbai daily—shooting through the night for one film before returning at dawn to continue work on another.
Speaking about the filming of Betaab (1983), which marked Sunny Deol’s debut, Rawail shared how crowds in Kashmir gathered just to catch a glimpse of Dharmendra. After the film’s release, the actor watched his son’s performance every evening at Gaiety Cinema and discussed it with Rawail with childlike excitement. Rawail expressed pride that Dharmendra’s children continue to carry forward his celebrated legacy.
Calling Dharmendra “a man whose life must be celebrated,” Rawail recounted a moving incident involving a Delhi police officer who broke down upon hearing of the actor’s demise and sought to meet Sunny Deol to offer condolences. “This is the power of Dharam ji,” he said.
Rawail described Dharmendra as a father figure, mentor, and remarkable producer who guided him throughout his career. “We’ve lost a great human being,” he said in his concluding remarks. “We were fortunate to have lived in times when icons like Dharmendra ji were working.”
The homage at IFFI highlighted Dharmendra’s unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema—a towering presence, a beloved artist, and a man remembered as much for his warmth as for his stellar performances. His legacy continues to inspire millions.
