Dharmendra’s personal favourite film was not Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, Apne; but this movie that also had Hema Malini

Dharmendra and Hema Malini in Pratiggya

Veteran superstar Dharmendra breathed his last at the age of 89 on November 24 and was buried at Pawan Hans Crematorium on the same day. Dharmendra has acted in more than 300 films in his career spanning 65 years and even broke the record for giving the most Bollywood hits in a year. Although the actor has made many unforgettable films such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Satyakam; Dharmendra’s personal favorite film was 1975’s Pratiggya, which starred Hema Malini in the lead role and Ajit as the villain. Johnny Walker, Jagdeep, Pradeep Kumar, Nazir Hussain, Keshto Mukherjee, Satyen Kappu and Sapru were also seen in important roles in the Dulal Guha directorial.

In an interview with Indian Express Screen, Dharmendra said: “Although Satyakam and Sholay are among my favourites, my all-time favorite is Pratiggya. It came in the same year as Sholay, in 1975, so it went unnoticed. But let me tell you, despite the competition from Sholay, Pratiggya became a super hit. I like Dulal Guha’s Pratiggya the most because it was a really difficult role. It was like playing a role within a role. To make people laugh to the fullest.” What I made was a multi-layered character.

Dharmendra will be seen on screen for the last time in the upcoming period war drama Ikkis, which is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, coinciding with Christmas. Ikkis is based on the life of Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was posthumously awarded India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, after sacrificing his life at the age of 21 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. While Agastya Nanda will play Arun Khetarpal, Dharmendra will play Arun’s father Brigadier ML Khetarpal, who is also serving in the Indian Army. Ikkis will clash at the box office with Kartik Aaryan, the romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri starring Ananya Panday, directed by Sameer Vidwans and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

Meanwhile, on November 27, three days after his death, the Deol family hosted two separate prayer meetings for the late actor. The first one, held at Taj Lands End in Bandra, was hosted by Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol; The second one was hosted by Hema Malini at her home. Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was just 19 years old. They share four children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeeta Deol and Vijeta Deol. The late actor had his second marriage with Hema Malini in 1980 and they had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

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