Remembering Dharmendra: Ikkis Producer Reveals Fans 'Applied Mud From Actor's Footprints On Forehead', Kissed His Chair

Dharmendra was one of the most versatile actors in Bollywood. He ruled the cinema for more than six decades, making millions of fans. The actor made fans go gaga with his excellent performance in Karan

Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaanii, leaving them wanting more. On Monday, November 24, Bollywood's He-Man, Dharmendra, passed away. Fans, friends, family, sportsmen, film fraternity mourned the huge loss and called it 'end of an era.' While he is no more with us, we will get to watch him on the big screens for the last time in the upcoming film Ikkis.

Ikkis Producer Shares Heartwarming Anecdote

Dharmendra's last-ever film Ikkis gives a stirring glimpse into the extraordinary life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. Directed by National Award–winning filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, the biographical war drama starring Agastya Nanda is slated for release on Christmas, 25th December 2025. A crew member of the Sriram Raghavan directorial revealed that when they were shooting in Lucknow, Dharmendra's fans would kiss the chair he sat on and apply mud from his footprints on their foreheads. Talking to HT, producer Aroon Singh Dicky said, "I have been in line-production for over two decades, but I have never in my life seen such a fan following."

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Further, he added, "I saw people, including elderly women, kissing the chair he was sitting on and picking up the mud from his footprints to apply it on their foreheads. From my work experience, actor Sanjay Dutt has been the biggest crowd-puller so far, but Dharamji... ek jhalak dekhne ko log dewaane the!" "For me, it was a dream-come-true moment, as I am his die-hard fan. He is humble to the core. Itni duayen dete hain ki aap sharminda ho jaaye (He gives you so many blessings that you feel overwhelmed). There won’t be a loving superstar like him again."

Dharmendra's Last-Ever Film

Monday morning, the makers of Ikkis unveiled the poster of veteran actor Dharmendra, who portrays the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. The announcement was made on Instagram with a poster featuring the film’s release date. The caption read, "On 25th December, bravery marches into cinemas. Witness the untold true story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest Param Vir Chakra hero. #IkkisTrailerOutNow - Link in bio. #Ikkis in cinemas worldwide this Christmas."The veteran actor acted in director Karan Johar’s hit film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, where he made one of his big-screen appearances with Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachcha. The movie also won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. He was also seen in Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon's Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.