Superstar Dharmendra, who completes 50 years in  the industry this year, talks about all things that  spin his life — family,  politics  and poetry

Dharmendra’s back from his constituency in Bikaner, Rajasthan, after a long stay. “I’ve been a giver all my life. I don’t like to ask even in prayer. Politics is not about power, it’s about service,” he says.

From cleaning up Sur Sagar, a dumping ground in Bikaner, to rebuilding the theatre Rangmanch, and building over-bridges to avoid traffic at railway tracks, it’s been tough for Dharam to crack the system. “I’ve been born into a farmer’s house. I can understand their plight. Whether I get gaalis or garlands, I’m prepared for both. I didn’t know how to grab attention as an actor. I don’t know how to make news as an MP either,” he adds.

Awards and rewards
Last year, in his autumnal curve, Dharam struck a high pitch with hits Apne, Metro—Life in a Metro and Johnny Gaddar. Recently, he was even honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

“Earlier, I wished to win awards for films Phool aur Patthar, Satyakam, Chupke Chupke. But awards then were allergic to me. Then I became allergic to them. Receiving lifetime achievement awards implies ‘retirement’. Main jhadoo bhi laga loonga magar bekar nahin baithoonga. The first car I bought was a Fiat. Back then, I thought if films didn’t work for me, then I’d convert it into a taxi,” says the earthy Jat who     celebrates his golden innings this year.

Heart ‘n’ hunk
Known for being emotional, the industry’s original He-man claims, “It’s a rare combination—a tough body and a soft heart.” Remind him that sons Sunny and Bobby are as sentimental and Dharam agrees adding, “I can smell their love for me. They can do anything for me.”

Woman power
Listed among the world’s 10 best-looking men by a foreign magazine, it was said that girls tucked his photographs under their pillows. Dharam blushes, “After Dharamveer, I would get letters that made me wonder how girls could write such things.”

Ask him what kind of a woman impresses him and he explains, “I like the Eastern woman. Yesteryear actresses like Suraiya, Madhubala, Nargis wore full sleeves. I’d think ‘how pretty they are’. But gradually nudity came in. What do you want to see in a woman when there is nothing left to see?”

All about Hema
While he married the nation’s Dreamgirl, Dharam has never known to be vocal about his feelings Hema Malini.  

“Hema is a brave woman and also the prettiest one. She can give much more than I ever can. What I feel for her is beyond love…meri mohabbat akeedat (faith) ho gayee hai. Any moment that we share together is beautiful; I wish to have more and more moments with her,” he confesses.

Equally protective about his daughters Ahana and Esha Deol, he’s says reticently, “I pray they get married to good human beings—healthy in thinking and good-looking. My daughters are very caring. I’m very, very proud of them.”