From the archives | Dharmendra: When I go, people should feel hamara koi jaa raha hai…

In this throwback interview given to HT City in 2018, late actor Dharmendra made it clear that he treated his profession as more than just a job.

“It’s my passion,” he begins when you ask Dharmendra how he’s managed to sustain himself for so many years. “I am in love with acting, it’s not my profession, it’s my beloved. Main ruth jaata hoon toh yeh mana leti hai, yeh ruth jaati hai toh main mana leta hoon. We have spent such a long time together, we never left each other. It will go on as long as it’s possible, and we will maintain this relationship throughout,” he says.

Dharmendra died on Monday at the age of 89

Sholay (1975), Dharamveer (1977), Jugnu (1973), Pratigya (1975) — these are some of the best known films of the actor. In his time, a film running in theatres for many weeks in a row was a bigger achievement, and the money it earned came second. However, today, it’s all about the 100 and 200 crore clubs. What does the veteran have to say about this?

"That I don’t like. I am still a man with thousands, small money. I know thousands and lakhs. Also, I don’t get excited about it. Just ho gaya yaar, bas. Sab kuchh paake bhi haasil-e-zindagi kuchh bhi nahi, humne dekhe hain ek se ek sikandar khaali haath jaate huye,” Dharmendra says.

He gets emotional when you ask him what keeps him going at the age of 82.