Ten of my favourite Dharmendra duets

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RIP, Dharmendra.

After the recent fiasco—when several news sites (including some which are supposed to be responsible) posted the erroneous news of Dharmendra’s passing away—I was sceptical when I read, on November 24th, that he had died. Another hoax, I thought. He cannot be dead; this must be another TRP-raising technique by conscienceless brute journalists.

But no, sadly not. Dharmendra truly is gone. At the age of 89, after a very long innings as an actor. Starting as a supporting actor, then going on to play the romantic hero through the 60s (a period during which he also did some of his more nuanced roles, like in Satyakam and Anupama). In the 70s, Dharmendra finally donned the ‘Kutte main tera khoon pee jaaoonga’ persona that was to—unfairly, I think—become his defining onscreen character. He was the muscle-bound action hero, often seeking revenge, in so many films that people tended to forget that Dharmendra was actually a very versatile actor, capable of everything from comedy (remember him in Chupke-Chupke and Seeta aur Geeta?) to knee-weakeningly romantic roles, to restrained, subtle acting.

Also, of course, there was the fact that he was very handsome: one of the best-looking of Hindi cinema’s leading men. One could watch a film just to feast one’s eyes on Garam Dharam, the ultimate hottie.

Anyway, a tribute was definitely in order, because this is one person whose passing I sincerely and whole-heartedly mourn. I had done a post of my favourite Dharmendra solos back in 2014, to mark his 79th birthday. Commenting on that post, several blog readers had suggested songs of his that were duets, and which I had to regretfully nix. But I thought, back then, that a Dharmendra duets list was in order. So here it is. As always, these songs are all from pre-70s Hindi films (or rather, pre-1971, since a few of these were released in 1970) that I’ve watched.

These songs are in no particular order, though my special favourites appear near the top of the list.

1. Tu mera main teri duniya jale toh jale (Pyaar hi Pyaar, 1969): Pyaar hi Pyaar was one of the last two Hindi films that Vyjyanthimala starred in (Prince was the other) before she got married to Dr Bali and left cinema. I remember having read somewhere that her impending wedding and retirement had made her quite lackadaisical and not really invested in her work. Shooting for Pyaar hi Pyaar was, by all accounts, a stressful experience for Dharmendra given that his co-star couldn’t care less.

But the film had some great songs (by Shankar Jaikishan), the better-known ones (Main kahin kavi na ban jaaoon and Dekha hai teri aankhon mein pyaar hi pyaar) solos picturized on Dharmendra. And there was this very peppy dance number, a duet sung by Dharmendra (who’s gate-crashed this party in disguise) and Vyjyanthimala, who’s huffy and is doing her best to convince him she has eyes only for another man (Manmohan). Dharmendra wasn’t a great dancer, but he looks like he’s having a lot of fun here.

2. Yeh kali jab talak (Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, 1966): At the peak of his popularity as a romantic hero, Dharmendra acted in several films—Aaya Saawan Jhoomke, Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, Shikar and Mera Gaon Mera Desh—with Asha Parekh. Shikar and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (the latter pretty much a precursor to Sholay) wedded the romance to another genre: respectively, the suspense thriller and the dacoit film; but the other two were standard, heavily melodramatic romance dramas with much singing and dancing before it all falls apart.

My favourite song from Aaye Din Bahaar Ke is its title song, but that’s a solo lip-synced by Asha Parekh. This one, though, is not bad either. The setting, in the hills around Darjeeling, is lovely, what with that backdrop of mountains and tea gardens; and Dharmendra is dishy as always.

3. In bahaaron mein akele na phiro (Mamta, 1966): In the same year that he acted in Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, Dharmendra acted in one of Suchitra Sen’s more popular Hindi films, Mamta. As the love interest of the daughter (Suchitra Sen played a double role, as mother and daughter) he was overshadowed by Ashok Kumar, who played the mother’s sweetheart. But still; Dharmendra, for me, was an important part of the film, and he lip-synced to this lovely song, both romantic as well as teasingly playful. He and Suchitra Sen wander across the hills, singing in praise of her beauty (yes, she praises it too, in a witty sort of way).

4. Saathiya nahin jaana ke jee na lage (Aaya Saawan Jhoomke, 1969): Another of those uber-melodramatic films in which Dharmendra co-starred with Asha Parekh, Aaya Saawan Jhoom Ke had some good music (courtesy Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi), including the title song and O maajhi chal. There was also this romantic duet, the picturization of which begins in a garden and goes, then, past the Chinese fishing nets in Kerala and then the backwaters. Very pretty, and so is the lead pair.

5. Yeh dil tum bin kahin lagta nahin (Izzat, 1968): Dharmendra’s pairing with Tanuja was one of my favourites: they managed to exude a playful, energetic effervescence that was very convincing. That, after all, was often the type of character Tanuja played in her early films, and Dharmendra could match her with wit and oodles of charm all the way. Look at films like Chand aur Suraj, or Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi, or Do Chor: so much eye candy, and with so much chemistry.

Izzat had Dharmendra in a double role, playing half-brothers, one of them the under-privileged dark-skinned son of a tribal woman. Here, the duet he sings is full of angst and despair: stay away, he tells the woman who wants him in her life. She knows he loves her, but he cannot see that she is willing to push aside all barriers for him. Dharmendra is in a sombre mood, sad and inclined to isolate himself: a change from the other, more cheerful and even frothy songs on this list.

6. Aapko pehle bhi kahin dekha hai (Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, 1970): There had to be at least one song with Hema Malini. Dharmendra and Hema Malini co-starred in some 28 films, ranging from blockbuster hits like Sholay and Seeta aur Geeta, to slipped-through-the-cracks films like Samraat and Baghaavat. Charas, Raja Jani, Razia Sultan, Kinara… there were so many films where these two got a chance to act together, sing together, dance together (well, Hema did most of the dancing).

Tum Haseen Main Jawaan was the first of Dharmendra’s many films opposite the woman he would go on to marry ten years later. It’s a fast-paced and interesting film about a young woman trying to protect her baby nephew from a greedy and unscrupulous man who may well kidnap and kill the infant. Many complications ensue, and the woman finds herself on board a merchant marine vessel, being nanny to her nephew. But Cinderella will out: at a ball, she dresses up (as Cleopatra, I’m guessing) and shakes a leg with the officer on whom she has a crush.

Hema is pretty, but Dharmendra, in dress uniform: uff.

7. O neele parbaton ki dhaara (Aadmi aur Insaan, 1969): There’s an amusing story about Aayi Milan ki Bela (1964), one of the early films in which Saira Banu acted alongside Dharmendra—though she was paired with Rajendra Kumar in the film; Dharmendra was the third wheel here. Saira was quite impressed with Dharmendra’s looks, and is said to have remarked that his looks reminded her of Italian men: the same sort of handsomeness. To which someone (I have no idea who) remarked that the film should’ve been named Aaya Milan ka Chhaila, then.

Saira and Dharmendra starred in a couple of films in the early 60s, though not opposite each other; by the end of the decade, and then into the 70s, they had co-starred in several films, including the horrendous International Crook. Aadmi aur Insaan, like International Crook, featured Dharam, Saira, and Feroz Khan, and was (from what I remember of it) watchable enough. Of the songs, this duet is one of my favourites: quite pleasant and with some beautiful backdrops.

8. Suniye jaana kya pyaar mein sharmaana (Akashdeep, 1965): Akashdeep appeared in my earlier Dharmendra songs post (solos), for the very melodious and romantic Mujhe dard-e-dil ka pat ana thha. Such a lovely song that it drives all the other songs of this film into the shade for me. But Akashdeep (with music by Chitragupta, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri) had some other good songs too, including this very sweet, very shy love song picturised on Dharmendra and Nanda.

They begin by singing on two sides of a door, then meet face to face: but that shyness takes a while to dissipate. I especially love Dharmendra’s acting in the beginning of the song: there’s so much hesitation, so much shyness in his expressions. Mahendra Kapoor does an equally good job of conveying that emotion: the softness in his voice is perfect.  

9. Yeh dil deewaana hai (Ishq Par Zor Nahin, 1970): Given that both Dharmendra and Sadhana are among my favourite stars, I do wish they’d worked in more films together. After all, they were at their peak around the same time— though Dharmendra continued to be a star far longer. Sadhana, partly because of health problems, and partly, I suppose, because of the taboo attached back then to Hindi film actresses continuing in leading roles beyond a certain age, didn’t act in a major role after Geeta Mera Naam (1974).

Interestingly, if things had turned out differently, they might even have debuted together: Dharmendra was called for a screen test for Love in Simla, but failed it. Anyhow, he and Sadhana did go on to act together: in one film. Ishq Par Zor Nahin was a fairly predictable (and sadly rather mediocre) film about two friends, both in love with the same woman. Both Biswajeet (who played Dharmendra’s friend) and Sadhana were looking a little time-worn by then, but Dharmendra was handsome as ever. And this song is a classic.

10. Dil toh pehle se hi madhosh hai (Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi, 1966): Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi is one of those films that are a testament to what a nice person Dharmendra was, how capable of putting humanity before other considerations (this nice-ness has been attested to by many who worked with him, including Saira Banu and Sharmila Tagore). This film had been Guru Dutt’s remake of the 1937 KL Saigal-starrer President; a good bit of it had already been shot, with Guru Dutt in the lead role, when he died. Subsequently, the male lead’s part was offered to several other actors, including Dev Anand and Sunil Dutt, but everybody declined: it was Dharmendra who finally agreed to take it on. More about the film in this interesting article by Karan Bali.

And who can forget him in Bahaarein Phir Bhi Aayengi? In the inspiring title song, or that meltingly romantic piano song, Aapke haseen rukh pe aaj naya noor hai? But those two songs are solos; this one is a duet. A lovely song that often gets overlooked, but wonderful nevertheless. Dharmendra and Tanuja wander through Calcutta’s Botanical Gardens, singing as they go. OP Nayyar’s music is melodious, and these two look beyond beautiful together.

What a legend you were, Dharam Paaji. What a legend you still are, shall remain forever.

66 thoughts on “Ten of my favourite Dharmendra duets”

  1. Truly the end of an era. As far as his duets go, a favourite is ‘Aapko pyaar chhupane ki buri aadat hai’ from Neela Aakash (1965). And all the more so because most of the film is set in Delhi, and the song itself in Lodi Gardens, a place I am particularly fond of. Not an outstanding song perhaps, but decidedly enjoyable. Showcases Rafi, Asha, and Madan Mohan at their frothy best:

    ‘Aapko pyaar chhupane ki buri aadat hai’ from Neela Aakash (1965)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh5yArZ32ug

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    • I am glad you chose to post this song, Abhik, because it was on my shortlist. I ended up not posting it eventually because it’s appeared on several of my lists already (because of the setting! Lodhi Gardens is both ‘garden songs’ material as well as ‘heritage sites’). Another good song from the same film that is also picturised in a historic garden is Tere paas aake mera waqt guzar jaata hai, set in Pinjore Gardens.

      youtube.com/watch?v=WWlQwy2-4_M

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  2. Nice songs, all! But your last line was so moving! Incidentally, I thought of his duet Jeet hi lenge baazi hum-tum from Shola Aur Shabnam, though its filming isn’t very nice. And the Sholay song Ye dosti, hum naheen chhodenge. I know this is a male duet, but it rocks even today!

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    • Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed this list. I like Jeet hi lenge too, it’s a good song. And Yeh dosti is classic; thank you for suggesting that. It’s still a duet, doesn’t matter if it’s a male duet. Another male duet, also with Amitabh Bachchan, that kept popping into my head while I was compiling this list is from Chupke Chupke: Geet pehle bana thha ya bani thhi yeh sargam:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8f6jv9SgRM

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  3. A near comprehensive list, thanks very much

    May be you could one day write a blog on his solo songs many of which are evergreen like Aap ki Haseen Rukh(which you have referred here), Hui Shaam unki, Aaj Mausam bada, Ghar tum bulana dege, Duniyaa O Duniyaa, Teraa Javaab Nahin etc

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  4. What a fine artiste he was. For those born in the 1970s like me, we discovered him in a peculiar chronology – Sholay in 1975 & forward and later discovering he did some memorable roles dating back to Bandini.

    Have never come across a single person including men, who has not fallen for his looks. And all of us realize his versatility.

    Most lovable actor of Hindi Cinema.

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    • Even though I too was born in the 70s, I had a different experience. Until 1985 (when we moved to Delhi), we had lived in towns that didn’t have very good cinema halls, so I had only watched a handful of films (the only Hindi films I had seen in halls being CID and Meena Kumari ki Amar Kahaani!) till then, though in 1982, a TV had come into our home so I had watched a lot of old films on DD. I think I first saw Dharmendra in Chupke Chupke, but it might have been Aankhen. And became an instant fan. :-) He was truly lovable.

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  5. Madhu, it’s great that you were able to put together such a full and interesting list of Dharmendra songs in such a short time. This is one list of songs that I basically did not know (for whatever reason), and it was nice to be introduced to all of them.

    As I mentioned on Facebook, there is one Dharmendra duet that did pop into my mind, from the film Kaajal (1965). That’s the song “Agar Mujhe Naa Mili Tum Toh,” starring Dharmendra and Padmini, with playback singers Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqpj929GBgY

    (There’s another Dharmendra-and-Padmini song sequence in that film that I might like even more, but Mahendra Kapoor’s voice is the only one featured in that song, so it can’t be counted as a duet.)

    It appears that we are losing quite a few artists from the Golden Age and the Vintage era in a very short time. It’s less than two months since Sandhya died and Kamini Kaushal died less than two weeks ago.

    And on the 23td to 24th, we lost both Dharmendra and Kumari Kamala. (Most articles say that Kamala died on the 23rd, but a couple say the 24th – I guess it depends on the time zone.)

    As I mentioned over on FB, I am putting together a tribute post for Kamala, though I think it’s going to take a little longer.

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    • This is a good song, Richard; thank you. And thank you for your kind words re: my post – I’m glad you enjoyed this list.

      It is a pity, isn’t it, that Hindi cinema has lost several of its brightest stars in such quick succession. Another among those who died not too long back is Madhumati, who passed away in October.

      I shall look forward to reading your Kamala post, whenever you’re able to publish it.

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      • You’re welcome!

        And, yes, there was Madhumati, too. (I actually have listed the other recent deaths at the beginning of my Kamala post (still in progress) – I’ll add Madhumati.)

        By the way, I neglected to finish reading your review of Shaheed in tribute to Kamini Kaushal, but I’ll get back to it soon. (I have seen several films starring or featuring Kamini Kaushal, but Shaheed wasn’t one of them.)

        At this point, let’s not think or talk about who is still alive or who might go next. (Not to be superstitious or anything…)

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        • At this point, let’s not think or talk about who is still alive or who might go next. (Not to be superstitious or anything…)

          Exactly! I was also just told that Kamal Barot passed away. :-(

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          • I admit, first I had to do some searching because I couldn’t remember who Kamal Barot was. OK, now I know. But I couldn’t find any indication that she had died. Have you confirmed this? I see that she had a birthday less than two weeks ago, on November 18. And her brother was Chandra Barot, director of Don, who died in July…

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            • I hadn’t had the time to check on Kamal Barot (I knew who she was; didn’t know about her purported death…) but yes, I can’t find any mention of her passing away either. I wonder if the person who mentioned it (Pratick Mukherjee, below) got mixed up with Kumari Kamala? Let me ask.

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  6. Hi Dusted Off,

    Great tribute to Dharam – thank you for posting.

    Dharmendra is one of my favorite male actors – definitely top 3.

    He is also the only actor I like from the 1970s and 1980s.

    The voices Mohd. Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor suited him particularly well, and perhaps Kishore Kumar in the ’70s and ’80s.

    In Aadmi aur Insaan, there is another song that I like the best.

    It is Zindagi ittefaq hai, picturized not on Saira Bano, but on Mumtaz (who plays the vamp in this movie), and Dharmendra.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaDK7ylJWsM

    You can see how well the voice of Mahendra Kapoor fits Dharmendra.

    The lyrics, penned by Sahir (who else?!), are top class.

    Side note: Kamini Kaushal also starred in this movie, who sadly passed away a couple of weeks back.

    Another song I would like to bring up.

    It is not a duet, but a trio with Mohd. Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh.

    The title song of Dil ne phir yaad kiya

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxO_kVwpZ38

    Music composed by the duo Sonik Omi (not as well know as other composer duos). I believe this might have been their first major composition.

    Very melodious and moving song.

    And finally, another vote for Jeet hi lenge baazi, which someone mentioned above as well.

    I really like that song – beautifully sung by Lata and Rafi.

    Thank you for the tribute to Dharmendra.

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    • I am glad you liked this post, and thank you for the songs you added. Jeet hi lenge baazi is a lovely song; it was on my shortlist, so I’m happy to see it mentioned here. I have to admit I don’t care much for Dil ne phir yaad kiya, but that, I will also confess, is possibly me just being biased – because that film was so awful, my memories of the song have been tainted as a result of that!

      And I am cursing myself for having forgotten that Zindagi ittefaq hai is a duet, not a solo. I always remember it only for Mumtaz, and had forgotten that Dharmendra also sings (I agree, Mahendra Kapoor’s voice suits him). Thank you for adding that – I wish I’d remembered to include this one, it’s a fabulous song.

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      • I found a short clip of Dharmendra talking about various playback singers that have voiced his songs.

        His clear favorite is Mohammed Rafi.

        He mentions the two songs from Shola aur Shabnam.

        Nor surprising since both are evergreen, emotionally touching songs.

        Here’s the clip:

        https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GQChjsLAHVM

        So many Bollywood greats owe their success to Mohammed Rafi – too many to list (Shammi Kapoor, Johnny Walker, Dev Anand, Joy Mukherjee, etc.).

        Regarding Dil ne phir yaad kiya, I have to admit I have not watched the movie.

        I am familiar with most of the songs, although I like only a couple of them (in addition to the title song, Aaja Re Pyar Pukare and Yeh Dil Hai Mohabbat Ka Pyasa – the rest are forgettable)

        After reading your comment above, I went ahead and read your review of the movie.

        I am glad I haven’t watched it, LOL.

        Only the title song is worth including in any list.

        P.S. we are still reeling from the shock of Dharmendra and Kamini Kaushal passing away, and yet I just heard that playback singer Kamal Barot passed away last week.

        2025 is turning out to be a brutal year :-(

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        • Thank you for that clip! And yes, Rafi really was responsible for the success of so many people (in fact, I strongly believe that actors like Pradeep Kumar, Biswajeet and Rajendra Kumar would’ve not been anywhere close to as successful as they were if it hadn’t been for Rafi’s voice).

          Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is best avoided, yes. I think that was one film which had some nice songs but which I tend to forget simply because the film was so irritating.

          I hadn’t known of Kamal Barot’s passing. The fag end of this year is turning out horribly. :-(

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            • Thank you. I noticed that someone else has also commented on that link saying this is false news. I wonder what the truth is, because nobody else seems to have reported it… I wonder if the presenter has confused Kamal Barot with Kumari Kamala (the dancer, who passed away a couple of days back).

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              • I did find it odd that as a tribute they played only two songs of Kamal Barot, and even those were non-filmi geet, instead of dozens of great songs that SLBC has in their massive archives.

                SLBC seldom makes mistakes about birth and dead anniversaries, even of lesser known music artists and performers.

                I will try and reach out to Jyoti Parmar, who is the senior broadcaster at SLBC, in case she has a source of this information.

                I hope this is just an honest case of mixed up identities.

                I feel bad because I told my mom as well, and she in turn, told her friends :-(

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                • Sorry I hadn’t been able to reply to this earlier – I’d been travelling (and I was booked on IndiGo! – which should say it all). Were you able to discover the truth behind this?

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                  • Hi Dusted Off,

                    Unfortunately, not yet.

                    I have sent a note to a couple of contacts at SLBC, as well as an email to the general mailbox on the website.

                    On Monday, I will try and call their public relations phone number.

                    I am in a different time zone (EST) – will try and get through.

                    -Pratick

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                    • Update – managed to get through to the Hindi program desk at SLBC and spoke to one of the broadcasters (Ms. Subashini D’Silva).

                      She is going to investigate the source of the news and get back to me.

                      I’ll call tomorrow to confirm.

                      Will post an update here.

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  8. Wonderful list! Enjoyed it.

    I uploaded my post on Dharmendra a few hours back. And when I read yours, only a couple of songs overlapped.

    Of course my theme is different

    A duet from my side,

    Jhilmil sitaron ka aangan hoga from Jeevan Mrityu.

    :-)

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  9. Absolute gems chosen here . Had seen that era where we used to stand in the queue for tickets… sometime purchases in black to enter the theatre & see these movies on big screen during chilly winters enjoying steaming hot samosas with milk in kullads(earthen cups) during intervals of the shows preferably 9pm – 12pm. This was late 50s to mid 60s.

    I would also like to place Jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum khel adhura chute na from Shola aur Shabnam as one of the soul stirring duets.

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    • Thank you for that very evocative memory of watching films in cinema halls back then! The samosa-and-chai on a cold winter’s night sounds absolutely divine. :-) That, and a good Dharmendra movie, would have been the perfect combination.

      Jeet hi lenge is a lovely song, thank you for suggesting it.

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  10. An apt tribute to the legend with wonderful songs!

    Growing up in 70s and 80s, Dharmendra movies were part of our lives, but those were the action packed ones. We got exposed and used to the sensitive and poignant ones and the romantic ones later, through DD.

    A truly handsome versatile actor and a lovable personality!

    Posting Humsafar mere humsafar with Meena Kumari from Purnima., though the only movie that I like of the pair is Baharon Ki Manzil

    RIP Veeru, Shankar, Dharam…!!

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    • You’re right, Bahaaron ki Manzil is the only Dharmendra-Meena Kumari film that is watchable. Somehow they worked together in some pretty weepy and melodramatic films. But the song from Purnima is indeed beautiful; thank you for that.

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  11. Indian news channels are so irresponsible really. Sabko first aana hai.I don’t really like Dharmendera in romantic roles but his comic timing was great. I like most of the songs you mentioned (I don’t recognise three songs in the list), particularly Saathiya nahin jaana, Aapke hassen rukh pe, and mujhe dard-e-dil ka pata na tha.

    I also like ‘Ki aaja Teri yaad aayi’ from Charas.

    And remember that song (not a duet) that sounds more like a baddua? — ‘Mere dushman tu meri dosti ko tarse…’ It’s kind of funny.

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    • Yes, Mere dushman tu meri dosti ko tarse is certainly a baddua! I recently rewatched that film (Aaye Din Bahaar Ke) and listened to the lyrics of this song very carefully. It’s actually quite breathtakingly nasty! The curses he thinks up for his ex-girlfriend, simply because he thinks she’s bewafa – uff!

      Ke aaja teri yaad aayi is a good song, thanks for that!

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  12. Pretty comprehensive list although some of my favourites were not on it, for example the songs from Neela Akash or Jeevan Mrityu. But “ye dil diwana hai” I love to bits and can listen to on a loop throughout the day. One song that I like very much is ” kuchh kehta hai ye saawan” from Mera Gaon Mera Desh which of course released in 1971 so beyond your timeline. https://youtu.be/oK3E-YXEIXE?si=OtLmouxJhXOgrfxn

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  13. And one more vote for ” jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum”. Listening to it on the radio since childhood I thought the song to be the essence of romantic love. Still love the song, the picturisation not so much.

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  14. Dharmendra was one of the most good looking actors in bollywood. He will be missed.

    Here’s Koi aanewala hai chand song with Nanda from the movie “Mera Qasoor Kya Hai”

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  15. Lovely tribute to a lovely and handsome man. Just adding a couple of songs here . You have put the screen shot of one as your title shot , Chahe raho door , chahe raho paas from Do chor .. As you said elsewhere .. Dharmendra in a uniform .. uff ! and two other songs from the same movie because I don’t have the restriction you put on yourself :)

    So besides the above song , both Kaali palak piya tori and Yaaro ho gayi yaar se .. are delightful songs . I quite like the pairing of Tanuja and Dharmendra , very earthy and charming

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  16. Somehow I got the news a bit late of Dharmendra’s demise. Born in the 1970s, I was first introduced to him through his 70s movies, it was later with DD that I saw his softer side with movies like Anupama and Devar.

    May his journey ahead be peaceful. Dharam is gone but his legacy remains and we can be just grateful for that.

    I think most of his famous duets must’ve been already covered by you and other commentators.
    My favourites are:
    mile mile do badan (though I don’t think he moved his lips to it)
    kali palak piya tori from Do Chor
    ye dosti ham nahin from Sholay
    maine dekha ek sapna from Samadhi
    kuchh kehta hai ye sawan from Mera Gaon Mera Desh

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      • Not as far as I know. It’s been decades since I last watched that film, so I’ve forgotten all the songs, but for this post I did do (an admittedly cursory) search for the songs of Aayi Milan ki Bela, and they’re all picturized on Saira Banu and/or Rajendra Kumar, not Dharmendra. I remember when I watched this film as a teen, I couldn’t fathom how any woman in her right senses would choose Rajendra Kumar over Dharmendra! (yes, yes; character counts for a lot, but I was shallow back then and only focussed on the looks). ;-)

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    • You’re right, Harvey – Dharmendra doesn’t lip-sync to Mile do badan (it’s a background song), but I like that one a lot too. So offbeat a song for that era, so seductive in a completely incongruous situation. And I love all the other songs you’ve suggested too. :-) He really did leave a legacy of extremely entertaining cinema.

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      • And one Dharam duet one oftens tend to forget is
        jaanemann jaanemann tere do naiyan from Chhoti Si Baat.
        This might also be the only song, where Yesudas has given playback for Dharmendra.
        Long time ago I had been toying with the idea of making a list of Dharmendra in 10 voices. I had that list somewhere. It just needs to be filled with some content.

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        • I had completely forgotten that Jaaneman jaaneman was picturised on Dharmendra! I love that song – one of my favourites from the 70s.

          Please do, if you can, make that list. I would love to read. Offhand, I can only think of Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Hemant and Manna Dey as ‘voices’ for Dharmendra (besides, of course, Yesudas – though I did not remember that on my own).

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  17. Re: Kamal Barot’s reported passing on Radio Ceylon

    Update – I just got off the phone with Ms. Subashini D’Silva at SLBC.

    She has spoken to Samantha Ekanayake, the broadcaster that reported the death of Kamal Barot on 22nd Nov.

    According to Ms. Samantha, she had come across a post or news item on a website that Kamal Barot is no more.

    However, since then, that news item / post is no longer available, and they have not been able to find any source or trace of it.

    Therefore, SLBC is now certain this news was not accurate.

    Took a while to work up the chain at SLBC, but we have confirmation now.

    I think we can safely put this behind us, and wish Ms. Barot many years of health and happiness.

    Thanks to Richard S. for catching this.

    -Pratick

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  18. I loved Dharmendra since childhood. And his passing away was extremely shocking for me. The very first hindi film which I can consciously remember and the big face on Cinema screen which I still remember while watching the film along with my mother in a cinema hall was of Dharmendra. I am still searching which movie it was. The only clue I have, is that there was also Ashok Kumar in it. With the arrival of YouTube, I watched every movie of Dharmendra and Ashok Kumar to figure out this mystery but still not sure which movie it was. May be Chand Aur Suraj I strongly suspect. And when I watched Chand Aur Suraj few years ago, I instantly loved one song and I still love it because it’s one of my top favorite, composed by Salil Chaudhary and sung by Rafi and Suman. The song is so lovely, I can listen to it hundreds of times at a stretch. The youtube link is below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILdsHgg0o8Y&list=RDILdsHgg0o8Y&start_radio=1

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  20. nice article. You are right in highlighting, that post “kutte Mai Tera khoon pee jaaonga” image we lost a very versatile actor. One of the best comedy movie done by him (chupke chupke), more serious like Shalimar, wonderful guest appearance in Khamoshi (song “tum pukar lo” was beautifully picturised on him)

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