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Dharmendra started his career in the movies in the 1960s and soon became known as the He-man of Bollywood. He also came to be known for his lively lifestyle, which also included a lot of alcoholic drinks. The actor never shied away from admitting that he loved his drinks, but he also knew that his son Sunny Deol was never comfortable with them. In fact, he also suggested that it was probably his lifestyle that made Sunny a teetotaler. In a 1983 interview, which was conducted before the release of Betaab, which marked Sunny’s debut and was produced by Dharmendra, the veteran actor said that his son had learnt from his mistakes.
Also Read | Dharmendra dies at 89: The ‘macho’ hero who broke boundaries, gave India both Sholay and Satyakam
In a chat with Cineblitz, Dharmendra was asked about Sunny’s upcoming career in the movies as the 25-year-old was about to make his debut. Dharmendra, who was also a leading man at this time, said, “He has learnt from my mistakes.” And he immediately added, “Look, he doesn’t smoke and he doesn’t drink” as if he believed that these were his biggest mistakes.
He then recalled the times when he had taken a drink in front of his sons, and how he saw a wave of hurt on Sunny’s face whenever he poured himself a drink, and this made him feel guilty. “He has seen me getting drunk, and I remember how hurt he used to look. Unlike Bobby, who comes and tells me, ‘Papa, don’t do this, don’t do that’. Sunny could never say such things to me. But the hurt look on his face when I’d pour a drink would make me feel very guilty. He has seen that drinking does a person no good,” he said.
In the same chat, Dharmendra also said that Sunny would never have an affair. “Likewise, he knows that affairs never do anyone any good. They only come in the way of your work. So Sunny is going to stay away from them,” he said. Three years before this interview, Dharmendra had married his long-time girlfriend Hema Malini, without divorcing his first wife Prakash Kaur. By this time, he already had a daughter named Esha with Hema. In the years prior, it was well known that Hema and Dharmendra were deeply in love with each other.
Dharmendra passed away at 89 in Mumbai on Monday, November 24. He is survived by his six children – Sunny, Bobby, Ajeeta, Vijayta, Esha and Ahana; and his two wives – Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini.
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