‘One day, Dharmendra will surpass me’: When Dilip Kumar wished God had made 'me handsome like him'

Veteran actor Dharmendra, Bollywood’s beloved “He-Man,” passed away at the age of 89 on November 24, leaving behind a rich legacy cherished by fans and colleagues alike.

Among those who deeply admired him was legendary actor Dilip Kumar, known as the industry’s “Tragedy King.” At the 42nd Filmfare Awards, Dilip Kumar made a heartfelt confession about the profound impact Dharmendra had on him.

Reflecting on the first time he saw Dharmendra, Dilip Kumar said: “Bahut se saal ho gaye jab Dharam ko maine pehli baar dekha tha, aur dekhte hi mere mann mein umang aayi ki Allah mereko aise hi banaya hota toh kya ho jata. Itna khoobsurat, haseen chehra. Aankhon se roohani roshni tapakti thi… Jiski fitrat sada ho, woh aadmi tragedies bahut achhi kar sakta hai. Maine kaha ki ab yeh mujhse aage baazi le jayega (“It’s been many years since I first saw Dharam, and the moment I saw him, a feeling arose in my heart—I wished God had made me like him. Such a handsome, beautiful face… there was a spiritual glow shining from his eyes. A person with such purity can portray tragedies exceptionally well. I said to myself, ‘One day, he will surpass me)”.

The admiration was mutual, and though the two icons shared the screen only in one project, the film was made twice: first as Paari (1966) in Bengali and later remade in Hindi as Anokha Milan (1972), both featuring the same cast.

Dharmendra spent his final days on ventilator support at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after experiencing severe breathlessness. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving Hindi cinema grieving the loss of one of its most enduring stars.