Indian cinema lost one of its most loved icons on November 24, as Dharmendra — the enduring “He-Man” of Bollywood — passed away at the age of 89. His death left fans, colleagues and filmmakers across the country grieving a man whose charm, humility and screen presence shaped generations of movie lovers. Among the many heartfelt tributes was one from Malayalam director M Padmakumar, who shared an emotional memory of meeting the star during discussions for the Hindi remake of his acclaimed thriller Joseph.
A Director’s Deeply Personal Memory
Padmakumar recalled meeting Dharmendra in 2022 at the actor’s farmhouse in Manali. He had travelled with producer Kamal Mukut and Sunny Deol to discuss the Hindi adaptation of Joseph, in which Sunny would reprise Joju George’s role. What Padmakumar didn’t expect was the overwhelming warmth and affection he would receive from the Bollywood legend.
He wrote that Dharmendra greeted him like family, speaking fondly about Malayalam cinema and actors like Mammootty and Mohanlal. The director described the moment as surreal, especially considering he had grown up watching Dharmendra as an action star and romantic hero who defined an era.
“He Hugged Me and Said, ‘Well Done, Beta’”
The most emotional moment came after Dharmendra watched Joseph, which had been specially dubbed into Hindi for the family. When the discussions ended and the team returned to the reception area, Dharmendra stood up and walked toward Padmakumar. With affection visible in his eyes, he hugged the director and said, “Well done, beta… well done.”
Padmakumar admitted the emotional weight of that moment left him speechless. Dharmendra then asked about the actor who played Joseph, and the director proudly told him about Joju George’s performance.
Padmakumar wrote that this heartfelt acknowledgement from such a towering figure of Indian cinema remains one of the greatest honours of his career.
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A Fun Moment That Still Makes Him Smile
Padmakumar also recalled a light-hearted exchange while discussing potential female casting choices for the Hindi version. When asked if he had suggestions for actresses, Dharmendra joked, “Don’t ask me about heroines… I love all heroines! Equally!”
The room burst into laughter — a moment Padmakumar says he cherishes to this day.
A Farewell That Came Too Soon
The Hindi remake of Joseph has now been completed, and the team had hoped to announce the film’s title on Dharmendra’s birthday in early December. Sadly, he passed away before he could watch Sunny Deol’s performance in the adapted role.
Padmakumar ended his tribute by saying that although Dharmendra is no longer with us, he believes the legend will continue to bless the film from above. For him, the memory of that warm hug, kind praise and gentle humour will remain timeless.
Dharmendra leaves behind an extraordinary legacy filled with unforgettable roles, countless admirers, and stories like these — stories that remind us how deeply he touched the people around him.
