At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), director Ramesh Sippy paid an emotional tribute to his late friend and collaborator, legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away this week at the age of 89.
The commemoration took place during a special session on Thursday titled ‘50 years of Sholay: Why Sholay still resonates.’
A Magnificent Human Being and Actor
When asked by an audience member about the late star, Sippy spoke emotionally about their five-decade-long friendship and Dharmendra’s impact:
“It’s been difficult talking about him… I think he was the most wonderful man, one of the finest ever. That place will never be filled by anybody else. I am sure we will have other actors who are good, but there will be no Dharmendra again. He was absolutely magnificent, both as a human being and as an actor.”
Sippy, who directed Dharmendra as the iconic character Veeru in the blockbuster film Sholay, expressed his personal grief, adding, “I will miss him a lot.” He also mentioned meeting Dharmendra’s sons, Sunny and Bobby, to offer his condolences.
Sholay Restoration Update
The session celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sholay also highlighted the film’s enduring legacy. A restored 4K version of the classic film, which propelled Dharmendra and the rest of the cast into superstardom, is scheduled to be released in theatres across India on December 12.