Sharmila Tagore feels deeply sad as she recalls the special times she shared with her close friend and co-star, the late Dharmendra. The two have not only celebrated their birthdays together but also starred in seven memorable films.

She spoke in comments reported by Bollywood Hungama, expressing her admiration for the co-star she cherished over decades of Indian cinema.

“Remembering my co-star and friend,” she said.
“We shared the same birthday. He was my co-star in seven films. I knew he wasn’t in good health. But the news of his death is still very sad.”

Looking back on their early days, she said, “We first worked together in ‘Devar’ and then the same year in ‘Anupama’. Two very serious films, followed by an overtly commercial one called ‘Mere Humdum Mere Dost’. Shooting with him was easy. He was as easy on screen as he was off it. We first worked together in ‘Devar’.” He was never the ‘star’ on set, he was always himself.

There was nothing about him. She recalled their initial meeting even before they worked on their first film. “Before we worked together, we met when I was shooting for Yash Chopra’s ‘Waqt’. I don’t know in what context it was. But I remember he was dressed like… how can I put it… not like a star at all. When someone complimented him, he hugged that person with such sincerity.” That honesty stayed with him.

Missing out on the movie “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”

Tagore was approached for a role in Karan Johar’s romantic family drama.
“I got sick and couldn’t do the film,” she explained, expressing her regret at the loss of the final collaboration. “The last film we did together was ‘Sunny’, where he made a small guest appearance for his son Sunny (Deol),” she shared. She added that she recently spoke to him about appearing in a documentary being produced about her. “He, of course, said very good things about me.

I wish we had more opportunities to interact.” Of their many films together, she singled out one as most memorable. “Wherever I go, fans mention ‘Chupke Chupke’ as their favorite film. I’m sure Dharmendra also got the same reaction from the audience. When I was unwell, I watched ‘Chupke Chupke’ and laughed a lot. It’s a rare comedy that remains funny over the years. We don’t make many really funny comedies.”