The first film Dharmendra ever watched was Dilip Kumar’s Shaheed, screened at Minerva Cinema in Ludhiana — an experience that changed the course of his life. Deeply moved by Dilip Kumar’s performance, the young Dharam Singh Deol began to dream of becoming an actor himself.
He often recalled how that moment ignited his desire to go to Mumbai. In a television programme, Dharmendra shared that he would stand before the mirror every morning and ask, “Can I become Dilip Kumar?” He believed that perhaps the intensity of his prayers and devotion shaped his destiny — transforming a boy from Punjab into the beloved Dharmendra.
A Home That Became a Shelter
Dharmendra frequently spoke about the many young aspirants from Punjab who came to Mumbai hoping to enter the film industry. Many of them found shelter in his home during their struggle. In a city where people rarely opened their doors to newcomers, Dharmendra welcomed them warmly.
His generosity became so well-known that a friend jokingly named his mansion “Dharamshala” — a fitting tribute to the actor’s large-heartedness and the refuge he offered to countless dreamers.