The recent release of Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, has prompted an outpouring of admiration for the late legend. Beyond the screen, a touching behind-the-scenes anecdote has emerged, revealing the incredible dedication and spirit the actor carried until the very end. Choreographer Vijay Ganguly recently shared a powerful memory that perfectly encapsulates Dharmendra's unwavering professionalism and passion for his craft.
"Why Can I Not Do This?": The 3 AM Challenge
In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, Ganguly recalled a demanding night shoot for a qawwali sequence in Ikkis, set around his character's college reunion. The time was well past midnight, between 2:30 and 3 am. Understanding the veteran actor's age, the team had simple instructions for Dharmendra. They told him he only needed to dance a little, doing whatever he felt comfortable with.
However, Dharmendra, ever the keen observer, asked what the younger actors in the scene were doing. Ganguly showed him that the others were performing a coordinated leg step while holding each other's shoulders. The actor's immediate and determined response was, "Why can I not do this?" The choreographer and team were concerned about him exerting himself and gently suggested he just move a bit to the music, but Dharmendra was insistent.
Perseverance Beyond Physical Limits
Ganguly noted that even the simple act of standing up repeatedly was a bit difficult for the actor at that moment. "He was sitting because for him, getting up again and again was also a little difficult," he recalled. Defying this, Dharmendra rose to his feet, called two of the younger performers over, and proceeded to learn the steps from them.
"He got up and he did it," Ganguly said, still impressed. The team eventually convinced him not to push for multiple retakes to avoid physical exhaustion. Ganguly clarified that such vigorous dancing wasn't critically important for his character in that scene, but for Dharmendra personally, it was a point of principle. "His thought was that he has to give his 100 percent. He was also feeling like no one should think that he can’t do it so he showed that he could," the choreographer explained, adding that the entire unit was left thinking, "Wow, this is fantastic."
A Legacy of Kindness and Full Commitment
Dharmendra's commitment didn't stop at the dance steps. Ganguly shared that the actor even asked for the song's lyrics, offering to memorize them for any potential lip-sync requirements. The team assured him it wasn't necessary, but his eagerness to deliver completely was unmistakable.
The interaction held a special personal note for Vijay Ganguly, who is the son of filmmaker Anil Ganguly. The director had worked with Dharmendra in the 1991 film Dushman Devta. When Vijay reminded the star of this connection, Dharmendra's warm reply was, "He was a very kind man." A simple statement that, as Ganguly recalled, "felt good."
This heartfelt recollection, shared after Dharmendra's passing at the age of 89 in November, offers fans a final, beautiful glimpse into the work ethic and heart of a true icon. It underscores why, decades after his debut, Dharmendra remains a beloved and respected figure in Indian cinema.
