NDTV Exclusive: Asha Parekh Remembers Dharmendra’s Fan Frenzy and Their Warily Curious First Meeting
New Delhi:
From the sizzling on-screen romance in evergreen blockbusters like Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969) to the grounded warmth of Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Jubilee Parekh—better known as Asha Parekh—and the dashing Bollywood icon Dharmendra formed a chemistry that felt fated on screen.
Asha Parekh and Dharmendra in Mera Gaon Mera Desh
Yet what surprises many is that their first impression didn’t start out smoothly. They stood apart in temperament and avoided eye contact, leaving the producer of their initial collaboration, Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), in a precarious spot.
During a conversation with NDTV on the occasion of Dharmendra’s 90th birthday, Asha Parekh reflects on her long partnership with the actor, recalling how both were initially wary and even frightened of each other.
“The Girls Were Crazy About Him”
Asha Parekh—whose autobiography bears a fitting title—was the era’s leading lady, dominating the silver screen with a string of commercial hits alongside legends such as Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand, Dharmendra, and Shammi Kapoor.
While tales of Rajesh Khanna’s cult following are well known, Dharmendra too drew a devoted entourage of admirers.
Dharmendra
As Asha Parekh notes, “The girls were all crazy about him. Dharmendra ji, Dev Anand ji, Rajesh Khanna—these were the three men I’d often see surrounded by crowds.”
And did Dharmendra feel overwhelmed by all that attention from fans?
“Oh yes! He would get really shy,” Parekh reveals.
“Acting in Romantic Scenes Was A Bit Tricky”
The 1960s were a different era for cinema, with filmmaking practices and behind-the-scenes dynamics far from today’s social-media-enabled glimpses. Stories from sets often surfaced only through candid conversations between stars.
Parekh remembers Dharmendra as innocent in many ways, yet with a mischievous streak.
She recounts a particular episode that left the producer anxious about their on-screen romance: the two leads clashing in Darjeeling during a month-long shoot.
“We met for the first time in Darjeeling, and he was frightened of me while I was wary of him,” she says. “The producer asked, ‘How will we shoot if you two keep drifting apart?’ I told him, ‘Relax. Once the camera starts rolling, we’ll be lovey-dovey and everything will fall into place.’”
“I Won’t Be On Set If He’s Drunk”
Among the many anecdotes about Aaye Din Bahar Ke, one remains particularly humorous: Dharmendra allegedly arrived on set after a night of revelry in Darjeeling, where the crew’s after-parties continued into filming.
To mask the odor, Dharmendra reportedly chewed onions, but Parekh wasn’t persuaded by these antics.
She says, “I told the producer I won’t be on set if he’s drunk. He would also get very nervous when there was a song to shoot.”
Staying in Touch with Dharmendra Over the Years
Parekh speaks warmly about occasional reunions with Dharmendra, noting his kindness in attending the launch of her book, The Hit Girl. Though they weren’t in frequent contact, they collaborated on two reality shows and crossed paths at Aamir Khan’s daughter’s wedding.
“I Was A Prankster”
Parekh recalls her own reputation for playful mischief on set, insisting she wasn’t truly naughty, just buoyant and mischievous.
She offers another reminiscence from Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, during a rain-sequence shoot that drew a crowd with the sight of improvised rainfall.
There, a scene required water sprays, and a fire brigade was summoned to create the downpour. As the crowd watched, Parekh proposed drenching the spectators too, a suggestion Dharmendra reluctantly rejected. Nevertheless, the prank went forward, soaking the onlookers and their chiffons.
“They were upset and had to leave. But it was fun,” Parekh laughs at the memory.
Those bygone days evoke a blend of nostalgia and melancholy. Dharmendra’s passing leaves a profound void in Hindi cinema, even as his legacy—covering more than 300 films—continues to resonate.
“We will miss him. I wish him a very happy birthday,” Parekh signs off, sending a final birthday tribute to the man who infused their brisk, cinematic romance with a mysterious spark.
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