Dharmendra on what he shares in common with his “darling grandson” and why he is in no hurry to reunite with sons Sunny and Bobby
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 19, 2019)

Dharmendra’s social media account usually gives us a peek into his daily life with anecdotes from his farmhouse in Lonavala and sometimes pictures from his younger days. However, since the last few days, Darling D, as he likes to be called, has gone all out to promote his family’s third-generation actor, Karan Deol, who is gearing up for his Bollywood debut, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, directed by son Sunny.

What was his reaction when his “darling grandson” expressed a desire to follow in his footsteps? “I saw myself in him,” Dharam ji smiles, recalling when he’d first expressed the wish to become an actor. “Though Karan was more subdued, as his grandfather, I could feel his emotions, relate to the passion. Acting is a big dream, it grows with time. Being an actor allows you to live many lives, I’ve played so many characters over the years so I could empathise with him.”

The 83-year-old veteran highlights another quality the Deols have in common besides being men who think with their hearts. “Karan is shy and that’s a plus. Shyness vapas nahin aati, besharmi toh kabhi bhi aa jayegi,” he philosophises, admitting that he was shy initially and so also was Sunny. “It’s a blessing as it teaches you to respect others, be protective and never hurt anyone.”

Prod him on the film, and Dharam ji informs, that he saw it for the first time on Monday night and was impressed, once again taking to the social media to urge his fans to go, watch it. “It didn’t seem like a film, but reality as it is today. And for a director to achieve this, is commendable. Karan has done all the action himself, but more than that it’s the way he has depicted emotions. He made me cry in a few scenes.” Dharam ji then goes on to add that for a grandfather, his grandson is always more precious than even his son, and Karan’s success will make him feel younger than his 83 years.

He spends most of his time now, in the lap of mother nature. “Since I come from a farmer’s family, I really enjoy being there,” Dharam ji points out. “When I wake up early, specially during the monsoon, I can hear the cuckoo sing. It’s beautiful! Then, I go for a walk and do my yoga, visit my animals and the farm. We are growing avocado and mango which has started bearing fruit now. Seeing a fruit or a vegetable grow gives me more happiness than winning an award.”

What are the chances of him collaborating with Karan on a film? “Nothing is impossible in our industry,” he quips with a smile. Meanwhile, a sequel to the 2007 film Apne, also featuring sons Sunny and Bobby, is in the works, but he is quick to add that nothing has been finalised yet. “The second and the third parts of Yamla Pagla Deewana (YPD) didn’t work. We rushed through with them and didn’t even give ourselves time to listen to the story. After making people cry in Apne, we wanted to make them laugh with YPD, which it did. But then, we chased after the trend of sequels without even bothering to select the right scripts. So, for now, there is no immediate plan of the three of us reuniting,” he clarifies.

Dharam ji will be seen next in a special appearance in Khalli Balli which he did on the request of actress Madhoo. Any plans of writing an autobiography? “I haven’t thought about it because I’m an open book. I might narrate some sequences of my life in the form of poems, beginning with my days in the village,” he muses, slipping into a flashback.

Aware of the pressures of being a star kid, Karan Deol on waiting for Dharmendra's stamp of approval for debut film
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 8, 2019)

"I'm finally part of the fraternity," says Karan Deol—the third generation of the Deol family—as he sits down for a conversation with mid-day. Under the supervision of his father, Sunny Deol, Karan says it was like film school for him. He talks about hailing from a lineage of actors, soaring expectations and learning acting from scratch.

Edited Excerpts From The Interview.

There's barely a week left for your debut film. Has the nervousness settled in?
It's a mixture of both [nervousness and excitement]. I got teary-eyed when I saw the trailer of my film. I am finally a part of the fraternity and that's an emotional moment. The mounting expectations are scary. The fall is obviously going to hurt more, but I don't want to concentrate on that. [This film] is a responsibility and we've worked hard on it. I hope people give me a fair chance, see me as an individual and not compare me to anyone. I haven't tried to mimic anyone.

Was it a conscious decision not to use your nick name, Rocky, as your screen name?
Dad wanted Rocky to be my onscreen name, but I insisted on being recognized by my first name. Also, I associate Rocky with my family, so it would be weird if random people started addressing me as Rocky.

Most star kids follow in their parents' footsteps. Did you always aspire to be an actor?
At 18, I was clear that I want to be an actor. While dad is understanding and loving, I feared him, not only because he is strict, but out of respect. I confided in my mother, who acted as a mediator between dad and me. I remember telling him about my aspirations and he said, "Are you sure? It is emotionally and mentally challenging. During your good moments people will be with you and abandon you as quickly when in trouble. But come what may, you can't succumb to the pressure."

Are you professionally trained as an actor?
I attended several workshops and learnt acting under director Rahul Rawail's guidance. I had to let go of my inhibitions. I did a six-month filmmaking course in London. I also assisted [Sangeeth Sivan, director] on Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, which was an enriching experience. The scripting of Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas started after dad was done with Ghayal Returns. To prep for my character who hails from the hills, I moved base to Himachal Pradesh for four months. I trained in valley crossing, rappelling and other mountaineering techniques. I camped in the wilderness, interacted with locals and grasped the area. It wasn't easy to get under the skin of my character.

Was it easy for you to keep the father-son relationship aside while filming?
For 27 years I have only been his son, so it was difficult to switch that off. Once dad donned the hat of the director, he became a hard taskmaster. It took me a while to adjust to it, but in the hindsight it helped me grow as an actor. There were days when I would break down because he wouldn't let go until he was satisfied with the shot. Dad doesn't believe in complimenting you either. The take is 'okay' or 'decent', it was never 'good'. He constantly pushed me to do better.

Growing up, was watching Sunny's films a part of your routine?
Yes, it was. We wouldn't see him often, so watching him on the screen was a way to emotionally connect with him. On rare occasions, Mom and I would travel to his shoots. When his character was punched by villains, I'd start crying. At the same time, seeing him do action was scary. I
feared that dad was an angry person [laughs].

What was it like among peers who knew your lineage?
No one told me to recite my father's dialogues. In fact, as they were aware that I was a quiet kid, they would often intimidate me by pushing me around to check if I would ever behave like his onscreen characters. But I didn't let it affect me.

Your grandfather and father have seen the highs and lows of the film industry, has it prepared you the feedback you may receive?
It prepared me to maintain a balanced view. There was a phase in my father's career where he had a back injury, which affected the workflow. In this industry, out of sight is out of mind. I have seen him at his most vulnerable state, but he is a fighter and emerged out from it. Even in the toughest times, he had a smile on his face.

Are you aware that being a star kid is like a double-edged sword?
Yes, there are people who are eager to pull me down and nitpick on my performance. I am aware that this opportunity has come my way because of my father. However, I have also put in a lot of hard work and dedication. Even with all the criticism, if my work speaks out, I don't think anything else matters. I am also aware that I have the privilege that despite the outcome of this film, I might get a few more of chances, but if I am not good nobody will want to put their money on me. More than anyone, I am dreading my grandfather's reaction. Until I get his stamp of approval, nothing else matters.

Adjusting to the new norms of the film industry, Dharmendra talks about attuning to the concept of promotions and how fans adulation has kept him relevant even after almost 60 years
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 26, 2018)

After spending almost six decades in the Indian film industry, what keeps you motivated?
Acting has never been a profession for me. I still feel like a kid in the candy shop, and the child in me reminds me of the journey that I have made to reach where I am today. I never worked for any awards. I only wanted to be loved and admired. Acting is like my mehbooba [girlfriend], sometimes she gets miffed with me and then I convince her and vice versa [laughs]. The only force that drives me even today is the love and support of the people. I am thankful to them that even after almost 60 years in the industry they have not thrown me out of their hearts.

Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) was a hit, while the sequel didn't pan out as expected. What convinced you to make the third instalment?
We made the sequel in haste. At that time it was a trend to make franchises. We joined the bandwagon and in the process forgot to focus on the core story. In fact, while making the film, I told the team that I wasn't enjoying working on it. However, we have made a conscious effort to conceptualise a good storyline for the third instalment. I went over the story and script several times before giving my nod. I just hope the audience enjoys it.

While in the comedy space, your character seems flirtatious in Yamla Pagla Deewana. Does romance come easily to you?
I have always been a romantic. People know me as the He-Man [read as Garam Dharam] of the industry, but it's a misconception that he is only physically strong and cannot be romantic. What people don't realise is that nobody can romance like He-Man.

In the past few decades, have you noticed any changes in the industry?
Life has become so fast paced that everyone wants things to happen at the snap of a finger. Nobody has time for a proper meal; people are satisfied with two-minute noodles. This generation has changed and so has their working style. Years ago, movies were about show business, but today, it has become a 'show-off' business. Earlier there was professionalism and warmth. Today, it's all about promotions. Personally, I feel you should promote products, not art. Earlier, we were part of the film industry; sadly it has become a mandi [market]. And films have become a commodity in this market, like soaps and shampoos.

In a profession that demands you to be in the public eye 24/7, you manage to keep yourself at bay. Was it something that you had to work towards?
I cannot blow my own trumpet. I don't feel that it is right and I can't make the effort to do it. We Deols are warm people and have always felt that work should speak for itself. In a way, it is also our weakness. We are actors, not stars. However, we are now learning the art of promotion [laughs]. If it's a good film, people will watch it and I believe that has happened. Yes, the scenario has changed with the corporates coming in. If films were all about commercial value, I would have charged a high fee considering I have given the maximum number of hits, but I have never been money-minded.

Following the trend of remakes and sequels, do you feel that the industry lacks good writers?
No, I don't think so. There is a lot of authenticity in the scripts today. In fact, there is no room for mediocrity and predictability. During our time, predictable films would become blockbusters. The audience loved watching a hero rescue a damsel in distress and defeat the villain. There are so many good scripts being written today.

With your grandson Karan Deol making his debut next year, what do you have to say about the debate on nepotism?
Everyone is attracted towards the film industry and aspires to be a star. I don't think it is necessary to struggle and face hardships to become an actor. I don't find anything wrong if an actor's son wants to become an actor. It's not the child's fault that he hails from a film background. So why do people question the decision of star children? In fact, I feel it's tough for star kids because they have to continuously prove themselves. As for Karan, I've seen a few glimpses of his act and the character is perfect for his debut. He is confident, and I haven't given him any advice because I don't think that works. Ultimately, it is his hard work that will take him places. Sunny is there for him and will do the right thing for his son.

Is there a possibility to see all the three generations together on the big screen?
I would love to share screen space with Karan. We are planning something in the sequel of Apne. Anil Sharma [director] has a few ideas up his sleeves, time will tell. Working with Sunny and Bobby was also never planned, it just fell in place. I believe things will take its course with my grandson too.

Any plans to compile a book of all your sher-o-shayaris?
Not a book. But I want to picturise them [make videos] at my farmhouse. A lot of people have advised me to do something about it, but I've become a little lazy. I need my own time and space to get to it.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 23, 2017)

Darling D’, as he is fondly called, is back in the driving seat. Dharmendra has kicked off the shoot of Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se in Hyderabad which marks the directorial debut of Punjabi filmmaker Navaniat Singh. “When I made Apne, I went to the theatres and noticed that while the audience was thrilled to see the three Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby) together on screen, the story made them a little sad and teary-eyed. When I asked viewers how they found the film during the interval, they admitted that it was good but ‘aap ne rula diya’. I promised them that in our next, I’d make them laugh and kept the promise with Yamla Pagla Deewana in 2011,” he reminisces.

With sequels becoming a trend, he decided to make YPD 2 two years later with Sangeeth Sivan stepping in for Sameer Karnik as the director. But Dharmendra admits they were in a hurry to go to the UK and shoot and didn’t pay attention to the story. “Usme log hasein par hum roye,” he laughs.

Now, he’s rolled out Part 3 because people enjoy seeing the Deols together and asserts that the story is new and well-written. They plan to wrap it up in two-three schedules.

“Sunny and Bobby are playing brothers but I’m not their father. I’m a lawyer who’s rented out rooms from them. He’s a real charmer, a romantic flirt, always surrounded by woman. He helps out the boys eventually,” he asserts, returning to the shot.

Dharmendra is happy to be back in action with his debut Punjabi film
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 18, 2014)