Veteran actor Dharmendra, known for his vivacious and audacious personality, has never shied away from openly discussing his love for life and his fondness for drinking. Today, we revisit some candid moments where the celebrated star shared insights into his drinking habits and the amusing incidents surrounding them.
Dharmendra, affectionately known as the “He-Man” of Bollywood, has often found himself in the spotlight, not just for his stellar career but also for his unabashed lifestyle. The Sholay star, whose illustrious career spans decades and diverse genres, has always been vocal about his personal choices. During an appearance on the popular show Aap Ki Adalat, hosted by Rajat Sharma, Dharmendra was questioned about his drinking habits and why he found it difficult to quit. His response was as candid and colorful as fans have come to expect from the charismatic actor.
“I have an extreme personality,” Dharmendra confessed. “Beech mein 6 mahine ke liye chor deta tha, badminton khelta aur sweat out karta tha aur phir shuru ho jata hoon. Main thoda extremists hoon (I would stop drinking for 6 months, play badminton, sweat it out, and then go back to drinking again).” This revelation painted a picture of a man who lived by his terms and found joy in every aspect of his existence, including his occasional indulgence in alcohol.
Dharmendra also shared humorous anecdotes from his time on film sets, reflecting both his love for fun and his clever ways of evading scrutiny. One such incident occurred on the set of the film Aag Hi Aag. He recalled how his co-star Moushumi Chatterjee once caught him drinking beer disguised as lassi. On that particular afternoon, Dharmendra had a craving for beer and asked the crew to make it frothy to resemble lassi. When Moushumi noticed and inquired about his drink, he nonchalantly replied it was lassi. But she wasn’t convinced and insisted on tasting it. Laughter ensued as Dharmendra admitted it was beer, cheekily adding, “Beer peene se kuch nahin hota” (Nothing happens from drinking beer).
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Another memorable anecdote was from the legendary sets of Sholay, where Dharmendra managed to sneak beers from the cameraman Jim’s stash. “Our cameraman, Jim, always had 5-6 bottles of beer with him. I would sit behind him and secretly drink from his stash. When the production team told him he had drunk 12 bottles, he was confused and said, ‘How did that happen? I don’t know!’ One day he caught me in the act. You should enjoy life,” Dharmendra recounted with a hearty laugh. When ribbed about his reputation as the biggest drinker in Bollywood, he famously responded, “Mera liver bahot strong hai!” (My liver is very strong).
Beyond his drinking tales, Dharmendra’s career remains a testament to his versatility and talent. He has delivered numerous hits across various genres, including romance, action, and comedy. Films like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Aankhen, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, and Anupama stand as classics that have etched his name firmly in the annals of Bollywood history.
In recent years, Dharmendra hasn’t slowed down. He was last seen in the film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, starring alongside the younger generation of Bollywood, Shahid Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon. His commitment to his craft continues as he is set to appear in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis. This upcoming film, slated for release on January 10, 2025, also features Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, Agastya Nanda, marking yet another milestone in Dharmendra’s enduring career.
Dharmendra’s openness about his life, his moments of joy, and his challenges endear him to fans across generations. His stories, whether about his films or his personal life, resonate with a sense of authenticity and a zest for living fully. While his filmography continues to grow, so do the tales of his vivacious spirit, ensuring that Dharmendra remains not just an actor, but a larger-than-life icon whose legacy is built on both his professional achievements and his unwavering approach to life.
