4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Apr 11, 2024 03:04 PM IST
The ‘90s kids, who grew up watching Shaktimaan, will probably associate him with the dark lord Tamraj Kilvish, who popularised the takiya kalam “Andhera Kaayam Rahe.” But Surendra Pal, who played the evil character, has played a diverse range of characters on television and in films. His portrayal of Kailashnath in Shagun, where he plays a father, Dronacharya in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, Amatya Rakshas in Chanakya and Daksha in Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev earned him a devoted fan-following, some of which also included celebrities from Bollywood. Narrating an incident when Dilip Kumar praised him for his work in Shagun, Surendra, in a recent chat with Rajshri Unplugged, revealed the the legendary actor told him that he watched his show regularly and was a fan of his work.
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“I was waiting for my son at Pali Hills when suddenly saw Dilip Kumar and Saira Bano coming in their Mercedez. I got up and greeted them. I thought I was fortunate to catch a glimpse of them. They noticed me but they drove past me. However, after a few minutes, the car stopped and made a U-turn. Dilip saab stepped out of the car, came to me and said, “Are bhai tum wahi ho na do betiyon ke pita?’ Yeh sunne ke baad main ekdum chaunk gaya (Brother, are you the same guy who plays father to two daughters? I was pleasantly surprised after hearing this.) I told myself, ‘Dilip saab ko mere serial ke baare mein kaise pata? (How does Dilip saab know about my serial Shagun?)’”
Recalling the fond moment, Surendra said the Devdas actor held his hands and chatted for a good 30 minutes and showed interest in talking about his character in the serial. “He then told me, ‘Woh serial my bahot dekhta hoon aur mujhe pasand hai.‘ (I regularly watch your series and I quite like it). My dream was fulfilled. He was a legend and the entire country worshipped him and to get to hear praises from him, I was overjoyed. Aisa lag ki ek actor ke taur par mera jeevan dhanya hai (My life was fruitful as an actor),” shared Surendra, who silently stood like a statue and listened to the veteran actor speak about his work.
“Woh meri taarifon ke pul bandhte gaye (He kept showering me with praises.) He also told Saira ji, ‘Yeh hain do betiyon ke pitah (he is the father of two girls) and whenever you make serial, cast him in the role of a father. In se acche pitah puri duniya mein kahin milne wala nahin hai’ (You won’t find a better father than him in the entire world),” said the Bharat Ek Khoj actor.
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His popularity on television also earned him fans in Amitabh Bachchan’s parents — Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan — who appreciated Surendra’s role of Dronacharya in Mahabharat. “During the shoot of Khuda Gawah, Amitabh Bachchan told that his parents are huge a fans of my work and whenever you found I time, must visit them. I did have the opportunity to meet Amitabh Bachchan’s parents at his residence and they welcomed me with open arms, playing perfect hosts.I had the fortune of meeting Amitabh Bachchan’s parents only because of Mahabharat,” he narrated.
Surendra Pal recalls Dilip Kumar appreciating him for his role in a TV serial and Amitabh Bachchan's parents being fan of his work in Mahabharat. (Photo: Instagram/surendrapal/Express Archive Photos)