Pawan Singh wrote an emotional note on Facebook, saying the news had “broken his heart from within.” He described Dharmendra’s death as the loss of a guiding light, adding that he considered it his greatest fortune to have worked alongside the actor he had admired since childhood. “Remembering his affection and simplicity still brings tears to my eyes,” he wrote, sharing an old photograph with the star.
Singh has often spoken about his bond with Dharmendra, calling him one of the biggest influences on his professional life. Their first meeting took place on the set of a Bhojpuri filman encounter the actor says shaped both his career and character. He recalled being nervous upon learning Dharmendra was part of the cast and hesitating even to walk up to the senior actor’s vanity van.
The turning point, he said, came when an assistant told him that Dharmendra wanted to meet him. Singh described trembling as he entered the van, only to be welcomed warmly. Dharmendra asked him to sit, listened to his struggles, and advised him to work hard, remain humble, and treat everyone with respect.
Singh added that Dharmendra supported him throughout the shoot, often calming him when he forgot lines out of nervousness. “He would smile and say, ‘Don’t worry, son. Speak slowly,’” he recalled.
The Bhojpuri film went on to become a milestone in Singh’s journey, and he credited Dharmendra for giving him confidence and a sense of direction. Calling him a “guru and guiding light,” Singh said he shares the story repeatedly so young artists understand the impact Dharmendra had on his life.
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