Stars turned up in such big numbers that the actor had to cancel his performance at 'YPD 2' music launch

Bollywood stars turned up in such big numbers that the veteran actor had to cancel his dance performance at 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2' music launch

When Dharam paaji picks up the phone to invite, no one has the heart to turn it down. In a veritable display of the goodwill he enjoys in the film industry, the music launch of Dharmendra's upcoming comic film had the who's who of Bollywood in attendance.

The guests at the event included the biggest stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan. Also present were Juhi Chawla, Ritiesh Deshmukh with wife Genelia, Subhash Ghai, Kunal Kohli, Rajiv Rai, Rahul Rawail, Rajkumar Santoshi, Ramesh Taurani and Vashu Bhagnani.


Says an onlooker, `Usually the music launch of a film just has the cast and crew in attendance. But this event was rare. Paaji managed to get the biggest stars in attendance for his event.`

Incidentally, Dharmendra complete 53 years in the industry and this is one of the reasons why the stars decided to rally around him on his big day.

The source adds, `All it took was one phone call from Dharam paaji. Dharamji is the most loved person in the industry. He was pleasantly surprised by the turnout at the event.`


At one point at the event there were so many star guests on the stage that it seemed difficult to accommodate all of them.

Dharmendra was slated to perform dance number on one of the special songs in the film, but he couldn't possibly do it because of lack of space as the stage was teeming with guests. Instead, Dharmendra made SRK, Aamir, Hrithik dance to his tune. King Khan was the first one to get into a jig, promptly followed by Hrithik and Aamir.

After much struggle Dharmendra had entered the Hindi film industry in 1960, after he won a talent contest organised by a film magazine. Since then, the veteran actor has been more than just adept at stealing hearts -- on as well as off-screen.

The Khans were cordial


With Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan under the same roof for the music launch of Dharmendra's film, everyone expected fireworks or at least a cold shoulder or two. The stars have been taking potshots at each other often.

But Aamir, who arrived at the venue earlier, gracefully made the first move and reached out to SRK. King Khan warmly reciprocated and the superstars were soon seen immersed in a conversation, updating each other about their respective films. According to a source, the Khans even planned to meet up soon for coffee and more conversations.


It is a known fact that Aamir is close to Salman Khan, and has never really displayed any fondness for SRK. And then once they had indulged in a verbal volley about their position in the industry.

Dharmendra sees his reflection in Salman


From serious roles and comedies to romance and action, Dharmendra stepped into all kind of roles in his heydays and says he see his reflection in Salman Khan, who, just like him, does everything to entertain the audiences.

"All the heroes are like my kids. Hrithik Roshan has his own style, Shah Rukh Khan has his own way. I see a lot of myself in Salman. He does anything - some weird dance moves and all. He is very good. He is emotional and a good dancer," the 77-year-old said here Wednesday on the sets of "Dance India Dance Super Moms" auditions.

He summed up, saying: "Everybody is good, I can't say who is the best."

Dharmendra came with son Bobby Deol to promote their upcoming home production "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2", which also stars his elder son Sunny.


Dancing is not Dharmendra's forte, and his son Sunny is not an expert either. But what makes the senior actor happy is that Sunny is finally taking a keen interest in dance.

"I feel embarrassed when somebody calls me a dancer. Bobby is the dancer, he is the best," he said.

"I used to tell Sunny to learn dance, but he used to say, 'Papa when you didn't learn dance, why should I?' But if you see him now in the upcoming movies, he has become good. He is now learning and I am so happy that he is really taking interest," Dharmendra said.


Film promotion requires more effort than its making

"Nowadays, it has become a trend that more and more pressure and effort is put on a film's release rather than on its making," Dharmendra said here Wednesday.

In his five-decade career, the 77-year-old has given numerous hits like "Phool Aur Patthar", "Anupama", "Raja Jani", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Sharafat", "Charas", "Chupke Chukpe", "Satyakam" and Sholay" among others.

"We all want to be loved, liked and admired and for this you have to give back something. So I am paying back in a beautiful way with much affection and with my love to every one," added Dharmendra, who will now be seen in his home production "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2".


Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" stars three Deols - Dharmendra and his two sons Sunny and Bobby. Neha Sharma and Kristina Akheeva are also part of the story, which is suggested by Sunny's wife Linda.

Another Deol, who has contributed to the film, is Sunny's son Karan - he worked as an assistant director on the film coming out June 7.

Dharmendra came on the sets of dance reality show "Dance India Dance Super Moms" auditions along with Bobby to promote "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2".

Apart from promotion, the actor, known for two left feet, feels dance has a become a must for actors.

"An actor has to be a good dancer. During our time, dance was not focussed upon much. We just used to catch and leave rhythm a bit, according to move. But now whole rhythm has to be catched," added Dharmendra, who made his dance style popular with the song "Main jat yamla pagla deewana" in 1975 movie "Pratigya".


Even in "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2", a sequel to 2011 comedy "Yamla Pagla Deewan", a tribute has been paid to Dharmendra's dancing style in the song "Main aida hi nachna".