Aamir Khan Honors Dharmendra As ‘Underrated’, Shares Why He Missed His Prayer Meet

Aamir Khan recently opened up about his bond with veteran actor Dharmendra, sharing a heartfelt anecdote about taking his son Azad to meet the legendary star. Speaking on the sidelines of the 56th International Film Festival of India, Aamir revealed that he had grown particularly close to Dharmendra during the final year of his life, meeting him around seven to eight times.

During one of these visits, Aamir decided to bring Azad along. He felt it was important for his son to meet the actor whose iconic work he hadn’t fully experienced. Reflecting on Dharmendra’s cinematic legacy, Aamir said, “I’ve grown up watching him. He was celebrated as the action hero, the quintessential he-man of Bollywood.”

He continued, “Of course, he excelled at portraying strong, heroic characters in action films. But I feel he’s often underrated. People haven’t fully appreciated his performances in other genres. His romance, comedy, and dramatic roles were all executed brilliantly.”

Aamir further added, “Dharmendra had such versatility. He could effortlessly deliver comedy, romance, and intense drama. For me, he was undoubtedly one of the finest actors we’ve had in Indian cinema. I have always looked up to him.”

Reflecting on his final interactions with the actor, Aamir expressed his regret at missing Dharmendra’s prayer meet in Mumbai. “Today is his prayer meeting, and unfortunately, I’m not in Bombay. I’m really missing it,” he said. “In the last year of his life, I met him around seven or eight times. I truly enjoyed his company and cherished those moments.”

Recalling the visit with Azad, Aamir said, “I thought it would be wonderful for my son to meet him. Azad hadn’t really seen Dharmendra’s work closely. We spent a couple of hours together, and it was such a beautiful experience. Dharamji wasn’t just an exceptional actor, he was an incredible human being.”

He added, “He was gentle and warm with everyone he met, whether colleagues or people outside the film industry. Always soft-spoken, always kind. He was not just a phenomenal actor, but also a wonderful person. His passing is a huge loss for all of us.”

Aamir Khan was among the many Bollywood stars who paid their respects at Dharmendra’s funeral. Legendary actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jeetendra, Sanjay Dutt, Abhay Deol, Shatrughan Sinha, and numerous others attended to honor the He-Man of Bollywood.

Dharmendra, affectionately remembered as Bollywood’s action icon, passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of timeless performances and cherished memories for generations of fans.