Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan have shared one of Bollywood’s most memorable on-screen friendships but their bond has always gone far deeper than their legendary pairing in Sholay. Their affection has grown across decades of working together, respecting each other’s craft and supporting one another through changing times. This connection, shaped by warmth and genuine regard, has once again come into focus as old memories meet current concerns.
A clip from their 2016 reunion with Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan has gone viral in the midst of Dharmendra’s recent health scare and Amitabh’s criticism of paparazzi who filmed the ailing actor. The video shows the four of them celebrating Sholay and speaking openly about the admiration they have carried for each other over the years.
In that conversation, Amitabh Bachchan spoke about Hema Malini’s dedication to her work, saying her commitment often made him feel like he did far less in comparison. Dharmendra responded by praising Amitabh’s tireless energy, describing him as someone who drives the entire industry with his pace and determination.
In the words of Dharmendra, “Poori industry ka engine bana hua hai. Sab peeche peeche chal rahe hain. Main dekhta hoon kaunsi speed se… Koshish karta hoon lekin yeh jawan bachcha mera baaz nahi aata hai, kuch na kuch karta hi rehta hai… Bhagwan isko bohot lambi umar de.”
Dharmendra affectionately referred to Amitabh as his younger brother and wished him a long life. Turning to Jaya Bachchan, he remembered how she once asked for his autograph during the filming of Guddi, a moment he still holds close, calling her someone he cherishes deeply like his own sister.
Dharmendra added, “Mera pyaara chota bhai hai. Jaan se pyaara hai. Yeh jitna karega, hum sab ke liye ek sabak bann ke reh jayega. Aur meri yeh pyaari si Guddi (Jaya Bachchan) baithi hai. Main apni Guddi ko kabhi bhool nahi sakta… Yeh meri bachchi hai, behen hai, sab kuch hai”.
Here is the link of the video:
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These warm recollections now sit alongside a much more distressing situation. A leaked video of Dharmendra inside a hospital ICU, recorded during an intimate moment with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, has sparked widespread anger. The video’s circulation has raised serious concerns about privacy and the conduct of those who gained access to such a sensitive space.
Amid the outrage, Amitabh Bachchan shared a post on X expressing his disappointment with what he described as a complete lack of ethics. Without directly mentioning the incident, he criticised the disregard for responsibility and the pursuit of personal gain at the cost of someone’s dignity. He echoed these thoughts on his blog, calling the behaviour disturbing and unacceptable. He tweeted, “T 5564 – no ethics .. कोई भी अचार-नीति नहीं”
https://x.com/SrBachchan/status/1989170119378075655
Dharmendra had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital earlier in the week and remained under medical supervision for several days before being discharged on November 12. Doctors confirmed that his family preferred to continue his recovery at home. During his stay, false rumours about his condition and even his de*th spread online, prompting Hema Malini and Esha Deol to step forward on November 11 to clarify that he was stable and recovering.
As fans continue to send wishes for Dharmendra’s health, the resurfaced reunion video serves as a reminder of the warmth and respect that have defined the long journey shared by him and Amitabh Bachchan — two icons whose friendship has outlasted decades of changing tides.
