Dharmendra

Tough men don’t talk. But Bollywood’s original He-Man couldn’t stop talking when t2 called him on Thursday evening. Dharmendra takes the plunge into television as a judge on the third season of the Colors show India’s Got Talent. The 75-year-old talks about what it feels like to be on TV, on “shedding his shyness” and on being a father to Sunny and Bobby, Esha and Ahana…

In your 50th year in films, why did you choose India’s Got Talent for your television debut?

It’s a very interesting format and it really didn’t take much to convince me. The biggest reason why I decided to be part of this show is that I was also spotted in a talent contest and managed to bag Bandini (Bimal Roy’s 1963 award-winning drama starring Dharmendra, Ashok Kumar and Nutan). It was more than 50 years ago, but the memories are so fresh in my mind even now. I was so nervous… so unsure whether I would be able to fulfil my dream of becoming an actor. When I got the (TV) offer, I felt that I should do this because I know how it feels to be a contestant on a talent hunt show. I feel we have so much talent in this country and very few ways in which they are being tapped. I want everyone to get an opportunity to showcase their talent. Talent sab ke paas nahin rehta hai (Everyone is not talented). Whoever has it, should make optimum use of it.

Dharmendra with Nutan in Bandini

I am also doing it for the experience, because I haven’t done anything like this before. Achchha experience hoga mujhe lagta hai (I feel it will be a good experience). Aren’t you happy I am going to be on TV now? Everyone who has heard this has told me that they are very happy and excited that I am going to be on television. My friend Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) has done it so well (with Kaun Banega Crorepati and Bigg Boss). I am hoping that people like me too.

Did you take up the offer immediately or did you think it over?

I took some time to think it over. They showed me some DVDs of the past seasons because I hadn’t really watched any episodes of the show when it was on air. I watched the DVDs and I quite liked what I saw. I like the fact that the show gives a chance to people from even the smallest towns to come forward and show their talent. I will be visiting Calcutta in end-June for the auditions. At Vijayta (Films, his production company), we are always looking for new talent. Even now, I am getting into the show thinking that I will get some good heroines for my banner. I am also looking for young boys to act as leads in my films.

Amitabh Bachchan took the TV plunge 10 years ago. What took Dharmendra so long?

We are quite shy, the Deol boys (laughs). Me, Sunny, Bobby, you must have noticed, we are very shy; we don’t like to be in the public eye. That’s why most people were hesitant to approach us. But after Yamla Pagla Deewana (Dharmendra’s early 2011 hit with sons Sunny and Bobby), people have realised that even action men like us can have fun (laughs out loud). To promote the film, we went here, there, everywhere and we interacted with a lot of people from the audience, something that we haven’t done before. All these years we were hidden; now we are shedding our shyness! (Laughs.) Ab kya karein, show business has become show-off business.

I always add something to the project I am a part of. Aur TV pe toh main bahut masti karta hoon (I have a lot of fun on TV). The audience loved me a lot when I was on Dus Ka Dum with Salman (Khan). Everyone told me it was a fun episode, one of the best they had seen on the show. Abhi, I am hoping that even on India’s Got Talent I am able to bring something new.

Television is a medium that is loved and liked by people in every part of the country. Most villages have TV sets. Today, the reach of TV is huge. You no longer have to go to a cinema hall to watch a star. You can turn on your TV set and watch him at home. A lot of people say that television overexposes a filmstar, but I feel that it’s the best possible medium to connect with the masses. It’s your fans that make you a star, how can you keep yourself away from them? Times have changed. Today, the more you are there in the open, the more people love you; earlier if you kept yourself away, people would love you. Also, those who can’t afford cinema always have ready entertainment in the form of their TV sets.

Yamla Pagla Deewana was a huge hit at the beginning of the year. What is the best compliment you got for the film?

Most people I met told me that they did not feel that we were acting. Apparently, it looked as if Sunny, Bobby and I were playing our real selves in the film. I think all our characters in Yamla Pagla Deewana were written very well. People really enjoyed the film. After Yamla... I am doing a few more films, but I don’t want to limit myself to just films. I am also writing poetry nowadays. I love the camera. Given the opportunity, I would love to do something behind the camera.

One of your best known films, Haqeeqat, is being re-released in colour…

I don’t know how they will do it. I just hope it is done nicely, because sometimes colours enhance and sometimes they spoil the original film. Of course, technically things have improved a lot now and I am sure a good job will be done. Haqeeqat is one of my best films. We had a premiere for the film in Calcutta in the 1960s. You were not even born then!

You are acting with your daughter Esha for the first time in Tell Me Oh Kkhuda…

I am so happy that I got to act with Esha. All my children are the same for me. I live for my children. When Sunny and Bobby do well, I am very proud. When Esha and Ahana do well, I am equally proud. My happiness lies in my children’s happiness. I did Tell Me Oh Kkhuda only for Esha. It was such an emotional experience for me. She has acted well and put in her best. I am hoping for the best.

And was it awkward being directed by your wife (Hema Malini) in the film?

I wasn’t awkward at all. Once we were on the sets, I was an actor and she was my director. Even in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Sunny, Bobby and I never allowed our personal relationship to come in the way. Being directed by Hema was a good experience. She will tell you that I always obey my directors! (Laughs.)