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Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 10, 2016)

Enlarge ImageEnlarge ImageWho says relationships in the film industry last only as long as actors and technicians work together? One of the most unlikely friendships to have lasted for more than 30 years is that between Kamal Haasan and Dimple Kapadia who were together in Ramesh Sippy’s Saagar.

They continue to be close friends even now. Says Kamal, “In fact, my daughter Shruti is now very close to Dimpleji and I think they’re even closer than we were. They met during the shooting of a film that they did together in Dubai some time ago (Welcome Back) and hit it off immediately. I am so glad. Now, my friendship with Dimpleji has spilled over to the new generation.”

Recalling the good times that he shared with Dimple and her husband, the late Rajesh Khanna, Kamal says, “We spent a lot of time shooting. As you know, Saagar took a long time to make. And there was lots of time when were just waiting to shoot. We became friends. And the friendship continues.”

Kamal fondly says, “Ours is a purely buddy relationship. We can say anything to one another. And it doesn’t matter how long a gap there is between our meetings. We always meet the way Geeta Duttji describes it in the song Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Situm, ‘Beqaraar Dil Iss Tarah Miley Jis Tarah Kabhi Hum Juda Na They.’ Whenever we meet it’s like we’ve never been disconnected with one another.”

Dimple speaks equally fondly of her Saagar co-star, “I always had the highest respect and love for Garu (that’s Telugu for ‘Sir’). And now his baby Shruti and I are also very close.”