'Left behind silence with an unbearable sound': Amitabh Bachchan pens moving tribute to friend and colleague Dharmendra

Amitabh Bachchan was pensive as he remembered his Sholay co-star and friend Dharmendra after his death on Monday.

The death of veteran actor Dharmendra on Monday inspired tributes and anecdotes from across the Hindi film industry. Many actors and filmmakers penned heartfelt notes for the late actor. On Monday night, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra’s frequent co-star from the 70s and 80s, also took to his blog and penned a moving tribute to his friend.

Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay.

Amitabh Bachchan pens tribute to Dharmendra

The superstar, who famously worked with Dharmendra in Sholay, wrote on his blog, “Another valiant Giant has left us, left the arena, leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound.”

Talking about Dharmendra’s impact and persona, Amitabh added, “Dharam ji, the epitome of greatness, ever linked not only for his renowned physical presence, but for the largeness of his heart, and its most endearing simplicity. He brought with him the earthiness of the village in Punjab he came from, and remained true to its temperament, unsoiled throughout his glorious career, in a fraternity that witnessed changes every decade. The fraternity underwent changes, not him. His smile, his charm and his warmth, extending to all that came in his vicinity, a rarity in the profession.”

Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra first shared screen in Dost in 1974, and followed it up with two hits - Chupke Chupke and Sholay in 1975. They later appeared together in Naseeb, Ram Balram, and Hum Kaun Hain, among other films. Ending his tribute on a poignant note, Amitabh wrote, “The air about us swings vacant, a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus.”

Dharmendra dies

Dharmendra died on Monday morning at the age of 89. The actor had been battling ill health for weeks and had been hospitalised earlier this month. Despite some reports claiming he had died on November 10, his family denied the news. Dharmendra was eventually discharged from the hospital, and he returned home a few days later. He died at his family home in Juhu on 24 November. The veteran actor was cremated at the Pavan Hans Crematorium later in the day.