Na Dharmendra Jaisa Koi Actor Aaya Hai, Na Aayega - Says Gadar 2 Director Anil Sharma In Emotional Tribute - EXCLUSIVE

Bollywood and the nation are grappling with an irreplaceable loss as veteran actor Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most cherished icons, passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. His death marks the end of a cinematic era defined by charisma, humility, and an unmatched legacy that shaped generations of audiences, filmmakers, and artists. Tributes have been pouring in from every corner of the world, celebrating a man whose magnetic presence transcended the screen. With over 300 films to his credit, spanning action, romance, comedy, and drama, Dharmendra remained a phenomenon who redefined what it meant to be a superstar.Among the many voices mourning his loss is filmmaker Anil Sharma, who directed Dharmendra’s son Sunny Deol in the historic

blockbuster Gadar and recently delivered Gadar 2. Speaking exclusively to Zoom, the filmmaker shared a deeply emotional tribute, struggling to come to terms with the legendary actor’s passing.

Anil Sharma shocked by Dharmendra's death

Sharma began by expressing the magnitude of the loss not just for the industry but for the entire nation. The director said, “Sirf industry ke liye nahi, poore Bharat ke liye bahut bada shock hai. Dharam ji apne aap mein ek industry the.”[Not just for the industry, this is a huge shock for the entire nation. Dharam ji, in himself, was an entire industry.]Still reeling from the news, Sharma admitted he simply cannot comprehend the idea of Dharmendra no longer being around. “Mujhe to samajh nahi aata hai Dharmendar ji kaise jaa sakte hain, kaise? Mere to dimag ke soch se baahar hai ki kaise jaa sakta hai Dharmendra.”[I cannot understand how Dharmendra ji can go, how? It is beyond my imagination that Dharmendra could leave us.]

No Indian actor can do what Dharmendra did - Anil Sharma

He went on to talk abut the actor’s unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema, a legacy he believes no one can ever match.“Dharam ji ne jis jis tarah ki filmein ki, jo jo cheezein ki Dharam ji ne, wo Bharat ka to koi actor nahi kar sakta. Na Dharmendra jaisa koi actor aaya hai, na aayega Dharmendra ke baad." Sharma shared how the team is unable to process the grief, constantly revisiting memories and stories associated with the star.“Hum ye sadme sehne ke yogya nahi hai, aur hum baahar hi nahi nikal paa rahe hain. Hum sirf unhi ki baatein kar rahe hain, unhi ki filmein, unhi ke kisse.”[The kinds of films Dharam ji did, the things he achieved, no actor in India can do that. No actor like Dharmendra has ever come, and none will come after him. We are unable to bear this shock; we can’t come out of it. We are only talking about him, his films, his stories.]He fondly remembered Dharmendra’s warmth and affection and said, “Unki muskan, unka pyar se sir pe haath ferna, wo saari cheezein kaise koi nikal sakta hai dimag se? Kaise? He cannot go, he has not gone.”[His smile, the way he lovingly touched our heads—how can anyone erase these memories? How? He cannot go, he has not gone.]

Anil Sharma on Dharmendra's legacy

Recalling Dharmendra’s iconic screen moments, Sharma highlighted the unforgettable persona the actor brought to his films and became emotional remembering Phool Aur Patthar, Dharmendra’s breakthrough performance that cemented him as an icon of masculinity and charm.“Jo ache lamhe unke saath guzaare hain… Dharam ji ne jo entertainment kiya hai, wo chaahe Chupke Chupke ho, Sholay ho, Mera Gaon Mera Desh ho, koi bhi film ho. Phool Aur Patthar me kaisa jawan hero aaya tha usme, ekdum solid, lohe jaisa. What a personality he was!”[The beautiful moments spent with him… the entertainment he gave us, whether in Chupke Chupke, Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, or any film. In Phool Aur Patthar, what a young hero he appeared—solid, like iron. What a personality he had!]Sharma vividly recalled the scene that changed how India saw its heroes - “Jan unhone shirt utaar ke kutte ko liptaya tha, nange badan wo aaye the, pehli baar kisi hero ki bare body dekhi… wow! Aaj main Phool Aur Patthar hi dekhne wala hoon.”[When he took off his shirt and wrapped it around the dog, he appeared bare-bodied, first time India saw a hero like that… wow! Tonight, I am going to watch Phool Aur Patthar.]As Bollywood mourns this unparalleled loss, voices like Anil Sharma’s remind us that Dharmendra’s legacy is far deeper than his films. It lives in memories, in moments of kindness, in the hearts of those he touched.