'Dharmendra Should Have Won National Award For Chupke Chupke', Says Co-Star Sharmila Tagore About Legend | Exclusive

Dharmendra Death News: Veteran actor Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most legendary stars, has passed away at the age of 89. While the Deol family has not yet confirmed the news, many Bollywood celebrities have bid farewell to the superstar via social media posts and statements to the media. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Sharmila Tagore, who worked with the late veteran in Chupke Chupke, reflected on his legacy and even said that he should have won a National Award for the film.

Sharmila Tagore said, “He was a giant. He was a giant in every which way. Not just by his performance- the way he looked after people, his family and friends. He was so generous. I don’t know anybody like him who was so generous with his time, his money,

his affection. He was a great man. I really loved him.”

The veteran actress mentioned that she hasn’t gotten in touch with the Deol family yet. “I live in Delhi, so I haven’t been there yet. But when I go, I’ll meet them. But I’ve been in touch regularly since he was in the hospital,” she explained.

Reflecting on her fondest memories with Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore said, “I worked in many films with him. I did many outdoors with him. He was very charming, very caring and if there was mobbing or a lot of crowd, we would feel safe with Dharam as he would look out for us. Aisa nahi ki gaadi main baith ke chale gaye.”

She explained, “He would look after you. With Dharam, we felt safe because he was strong… we were mobbed but he was very good. We got out of it.” She also agreed that while he was known as quite the macho man, his comic timing in films like Chupke Chupke was excellent.

She said, “For Chupke Chupke, he should have won the National Award. He was so good.” Sharmila Tagore revealed that she revisits the film every time she feels low. “His comic timing was very good. Unko National Award milna tha. Pata nahi unko kyu nahi diya gaya,” she said.

For the unversed, Dharmendra had been receiving medical care at home after being discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he had been admitted due to prolonged illness. Doctors had been monitoring him daily, and although his condition had briefly improved after his discharge, he eventually succumbed to his illness.