Dharmendra breathed his last two weeks before his 90th birthday, after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital earlier this month. Tributes have poured in from across the film fraternity, underscoring his remarkable influence on Hindi cinema.
Among the many stars who looked up to him, Salman Khan stood out. Their mutual respect often surfaced publicly, most memorably during the Da-bangg Tour, where Salman described Dharmendra as his biggest inspiration. “Before I came along, there was only one person, and that is Dharam ji,” Salman had said on stage, adding that the veteran actor was “like a father” to him.
Dharmendra’s affection for Salman was equally visible. In an episode of Bigg Boss, the actor referred to Salman as his “third son,” a remark that fans frequently revisit as a testament to their bond. His admiration took a step further during a 2015 interview, when he was asked who should play him if a biopic were ever made. Without hesitation, he named Salman Khan, saying the actor shared many of his traits and could portray him “perfectly” on screen.
The relationship was addressed again recently on Koffee with Karan, where Bobby Deol spoke about Salman’s unwavering support for the Deol family. He described Salman’s affection for Dharmendra as “obsessive love,” recounting how the actor stood by them through difficult professional phases.
As the industry grieves Dharmendra’s loss, memories of his generosity, warmth and the rare friendships he nurtured continue to shape his enduring legacy.
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