Director Satyajeet Puri Reveals Dharmendra Warned Underworld On His Behalf: I Have An Army

Actor-director

Satyajeet Puri recently shared a fascinating anecdote about veteran actor Dharmendra, recalling how the legendary star fearlessly stood up to the underworld during its peak influence in Bollywood.

Dharmendra’s Bold Retort to Gangsters

In an interview with Friday Talkies, Puri revealed how Dharmendra’s unwavering courage made him one of the few stars unshaken by underworld threats. He said, “At that time underworld was very strong. It was the time when if the underworld called some actor, they would get scared. But Dharamji and family were never scared from them. He would tell them, ‘If you come, the whole Sahnewal will come from Punjab. You have 10 people, but I have an army. Ek bolunga aur truck bharke aayenge Punjab se ladne ke liye (If I say so, people by the truck-loads will arrive from Punjab to fight with me). Toh tu mere se panga na le (Don’t mess with me). And they never messed with Dharmendra.’”Puri’s recollection highlights Dharmendra’s strong personality and the immense respect he commanded both within and outside the film industry.ALSO READ: Aditya Pancholi Takes Indirect Dig At Anil Kapoor, Claims Being Replaced In Tezaab By Actor With Influential Brother

Dharmendra’s Recent Appearances

The 89-year-old veteran was last seen in Amit Joshi’s romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. The film also featured Dimple Kapadia, Rakesh Bedi, Rajesh Kumari, and Anubha Fatehpuria in key roles.

Dharmendra’s Comeback and Upcoming Projects

Dharmendra made a grand comeback in Karan Johar’s 2023 romantic drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. The film, co-produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, and Apoorva Mehta, was co-written by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, and Sumit Roy.He will next be seen reuniting with acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan after Johnny Gaddaar in the upcoming war biopic Ikkis (2025). The film stars Agastya Nanda as Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, who heroically sacrificed his life at the age of 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.Ikkis is slated for a theatrical release in December 2025.