Bobby Deol shared his experience of working with his actor-father Dharmendra in the 1977 film Dharam Veer.
Before Bobby Deol made his acting debut as a leading man in Barsaat (1995) opposite Twinkle Khanna, the actor appeared as a child artiste in Manmohan Desai’s 1977 film Dharam Veer which featured Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Zeenat Aman and Neetu Kapoor in leading roles.
Bobby played the role of younger Dharmendra in this film. Recently in a chat with SCREEN, the Animal actor got candid about how he bagged this part.
“I was 5-6 years old and always dreamed of becoming an actor. My dad was filming Dharam Veer and needed a child who resembled him, especially with strong, sturdy legs. Unfortunately, none of the kids they auditioned fit the bill. Then my dad asked me, ‘Tu meri film mein acting karega? Mere bachpan ka role karega? (Will you act in my film and play my childhood role?)’ Without hesitation, I said, ‘Haan, karunga (Yes, I will do it).’ As a child, you have no fears or inhibitions, and everything seems magical, ” Bobby fondly recalled.
He then went on to share a funny incident involving iconic black leather dress that his character wore in Dharam Veer.
Bobby shared, “They stitched the outfit overnight because the shoot was scheduled for the next day. I didn’t wear underwear back then, so when they gave me the dress, I was puzzled. I asked Bhawarlal, who worked with my dad, ‘Mere paas chaddi nahi hai (I don’t have underwear), how will I wear this?’ They quickly arranged a pair of shorts for me. It was all so new and exciting for me as a child.”
He also recalled how after filming the scene, he asked his father for payment.
The ‘Gupt’ actor said, “I told my dad, ‘Where is my money? I worked, so I want my payment.’ Embarrassed in front of the producer and director, Dad told me to keep quiet. Later, he gave me a bundle of 10,000 rupees and instructed me to hand it over to my grandmother to distribute among the staff. It was a sweet lesson in humility and family values.”
On the work front, Bobby Deol was last seen in Suriya starrer Kanguva.
