‘He Greeted People With A Hug, Sat With Them’: Rakesh Bedi on Dharmendra’s Lasting Charm

Dharmendra may be gone, but the love around him hasn’t faded even a little. Ever since the veteran actor passed away on November 24, fans have been revisiting old videos, sharing memories and expressing how much he meant to them. Now, someone who worked closely with him recently — actor Rakesh Bedi — has opened up about why Dharmendra still has such a strong emotional pull on people.

‘Dharam ji was extremely smart throughout his career’ Rakesh Bedi, who co-starred with Dharmendra in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, said the legend’s choices shaped the unique place he holds in cinema. “Dharam ji was extremely smart throughout his career,” Bedi told Galatta India. He explained that Dharmendra worked with the best early on. “He worked with filmmakers

like Hrishikesh Mukherji and Bimal Roy. He made sure to collaborate with the best directors. He did films like Satyakam and Anupama. But when he eventually transitioned into commercial cinema, he gained the image of a He-Man.”

‘He kept his arms open for anybody and everybody’
According to Bedi, Dharmendra’s warmth is the real reason fans still feel so attached to him. “While this is mostly about his professional life, Dharmendra was a very kind-hearted man with a big heart. He kept his arms open for anybody and everybody who came to him. He greeted people with a hug, sat with them, spoke to them. That is what won people over.” And that explains why so many fans were upset when his family held a private cremation. Many felt they didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to the man they grew up watching and loving.

A legacy that didn’t depend on age
Even in his late 80s, Dharmendra stayed active, charming and relevant. His cameos, interviews and social media posts drew reactions from younger fans too, proving that his appeal truly crossed generations.

Rakesh Bedi in Dhurandhar
Meanwhile, Rakesh Bedi is currently enjoying success with Dhurandhar, which has crossed Rs 150 crore in India and continues to attract strong footfall.

Set in Pakistan, Dhurandhar follows an Indian spy who infiltrates the Lyari gangs. Directed by Aditya Dhar and based on true incidents, the story unfolds in the early 2000s. The cast includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R Madhavan, alongside Sara Arjun.