When Dharmendra slept in a garage and worked extra hours to survive in Mumbai: ‘Mere khwab pure ho gaye…’

Veteran actor Dharmendra, currently hospitalised in a critical but stable condition, spent the early days of his Bollywood dream living in a garage and working overtime at a factory to make ends meet in the city of dreams.

During a televised appearance years ago, Bollywood’s He-Man reminisced about his struggling days in Bombay after the contestants of the show performed “Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqat Ke Liye,” a song from his 1976 hit, Charas.

“In my earlier days, I used to live in a garage because I didn’t have a proper home in Mumbai,” he said. He continued, “To survive in Mumbai, I worked in a drilling firm where I was paid ₹200, and to earn some extra money I used to do overtime.”

‘My dreams have become pure…’

In a viral clip, reportedly dating back to 2019, from the singing reality show Superstar Singer, Dharmendra can be seen getting emotional as the show documents his journey and struggles in the film industry.

In tears, the actor told the show host that he had always dreamed of being in the movies. “I was dreaming of coming here. He walked on my lap and said to me that Dharmendra has become an actor, my friend!” an emotional Dharmendra said.

“I am saying from my heart that my dreams have come true,” he added.

He also shared cherished memories of his childhood village in Punjab’s Ludhiana, and said that he is a part of the Sanewal soil. “They are connected to the soil of the village. We lived there before partition,” he said.

Thankful for the beautiful clip, straight from his village, Dharmendra told the show makers that the video took him right back to where his heart is.

“I am a passionate human being, you came to me where my passion was surging,” he said.

He was a guest at the show with his son, Sunny Deol, and grandson, Karan Deol.

About the superstar who dominated Indian cinema

Dharmendra, a Padma Bhushan awardee, dominated the Indian cinema in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. His most notable works include movies like Phool Aur Patthar, Anupama, Seeta Aur Geeta, and the iconic Sholay.

He turned producer later in his career with films such as Ghayal and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2.