In a touching revelation that resonates with many children of aging parents, Bollywood veteran Dharmendra once opened up about his deepest regret - not giving enough time and attention to his parents while they were alive. The emotional confession came during a 2013 conversation with actor Vinay Pathak, a video of which remains available on Asian Paints' YouTube channel.
The Strict Father and His Regret
Dharmendra admitted that his own strict nature as a father stemmed from his upbringing, creating a distance between him and his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. The actor revealed that his children were often scared of him, though he deeply wished they would sit with him and talk more openly. Reflecting on this dynamic, he realized his own father had likely wanted the same friendship and companionship from him that he now desired from his children.
Parental Longing for Time and Affection
The Sholay star remembered how his father would wait quietly, hoping the busy Bollywood actor would come home early and spend quality time with him. "I used to ask my father, 'What are you thinking about? Tell me what you want'," Dharmendra recalled. "He used to say, 'I have everything. What else do I want? You should come home early. You should sit with me for a while'. I used to hug him and leave."
Later in life, his mother expressed similar needs, wanting nothing more than his presence and affection rather than material possessions. Dharmendra believed that every parent keeps a child hidden inside their heart, and they too need love, time and attention from their children, just as they provided during their children's childhood.
The Pain of Realization Too Late
Dharmendra's regret became palpable as he spoke about not recognizing his parents' silent suffering when he was busy building his career. "They taught us to walk holding their fingers. Now, it's impossible to walk with them at their pace," he said emotionally. "My parents must be complaining to me. I wish I had given them time. I wish I had erased the pain of my parents."
This profound regret made the actor realize how crucial it is to value parents while they're still around, a lesson he learned through personal experience of loss. The veteran actor, who passed away on November 24 at his home, left behind a legacy that extends beyond cinema to include these heartfelt reflections on family relationships and the importance of cherishing elderly parents.
