The recent passing of veteran actor Dharmendra at age 89 has brought renewed attention to the values he instilled in his family and the painful experiences his grandson Karan Deol endured during his school days. The legendary actor often spoke about shyness and respect being integral to their family culture, qualities he recognized in both his son Sunny Deol and grandson Karan.
The Painful School Bullying Experience
Karan Deol, during a 2019 appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, opened up about the difficult childhood moments he faced due to his famous family background. While Kapil Sharma typically maintains a humorous atmosphere, the mood turned serious when Karan shared how classmates constantly judged and bullied him.
The young actor recalled being told in class that he wasn't capable of achieving anything beyond living off his father's success and fame. Contrary to what one might expect, his classmates didn't treat him specially because of his family connections - instead, they looked down on him.
"Actually, it was the reverse," Karan revealed. "They used to say that you are only good for one thing: signing your father's check. Other than that, you won't go anywhere in life."
He shared an even more distressing memory from his first grade: "The first memory I have of school was when, in first grade, a few older boys surrounded me. One of them lifted me and, in front of everyone, smacked me down. He then asked me, 'Are you sure you're Sunny Deol's son? You can't even fight back.' I was so embarrassed."
Dharmendra's Heartbreaking Response
When Dharmendra eventually learned about what his grandson had endured, he experienced profound regret and emotional pain. The veteran actor expressed that if he had known about the bullying at the time, he would have taken immediate action to protect Karan.
In a heartfelt admission, Dharmendra stated, "I would have beaten up two or four [boys]." He described how hearing about Karan's suffering caused him deep inner pain, emotionally questioning why his grandson hadn't confided in him earlier.
The elderly actor's protective instincts were clearly triggered as he asked, "Why didn't he tell me? Where is he now? I'll go find him," demonstrating the strong family bonds that characterized the Deol family.
The Life-Changing Turning Point
During an interview with Humans of Bombay, Karan Deol shared how a school talent competition became the defining moment that helped him overcome years of bullying and self-doubt. He had spent numerous nights preparing a rap performance, the one skill he genuinely felt confident about mastering.
"On the day, I remember walking up on that stage, and there was a sea of people, with all eyes on me," Karan recalled. "But I took a deep breath and performed my heart out. All the years of being bullied, ridiculed, and being identified as nothing but 'Sunny Deol's son' came out when I was up on that stage."
The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, with the crowd thoroughly enjoying his performance and roaring along with him. This experience proved transformative for the young Deol, who described feeling "liberated, as if I had finally broken free from the shackles."
Karan emphasized that while the healing process took time, that particular moment on stage fundamentally changed his life perspective and helped him establish his own identity beyond being just "Sunny Deol's son."
The story of Karan Deol's bullying experiences and his grandfather's emotional response highlights the challenges faced by children from famous families and the enduring importance of family support in overcoming adversity.
