Dharmendra's Unwavering Protectiveness: Honey Irani Remembers the Late Actor's Kind Heart

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The Hindi film industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away on Monday at the age of 89. As tributes pour in from across the country, many are remembering not just the star he was, but the warmth, gentleness, and protectiveness that defined him off-screen. Acclaimed screenwriter Honey Irani, who worked with Dharmendra in four films during her early years, fondly remembers his kind nature. In one particular incident, Dharmendra refused to wear dark glasses during a dangerous stunt sequence, fearing it would make the stunt unsafe for his co-star, a young Honey Irani. "He was scared for me, so protective of me," she recalls. This protective feeling left a lasting impression on Honey, who also remembers the bond they shared long after those films were completed. Dharmendra would often joke with her, calling her "Mera beta hai tu," which translates to "You're my son." He would laugh about how she played his daughter in some films and his son in others, saying "Beta hai ya beti, samajh hi nahi aata," which means "Can't make out if you were my son or daughter." Their paths crossed again years later, when Honey worked on Seeta Aur Geeta, co-starring Hema Malini and co-written by her future husband Javed Akhtar. Honey reflects on Dharmendra's legendary career, saying his range was far greater than people give him credit for. "His versatility is very underrated," she says. "He could do all those commercial potboilers, but could also pull off those Hrishikesh Mukherjee films." She adds that beyond the craft, it was his nature that made him unforgettable. "He was one of the kindest, nicest, and most humble people she came across in the Hindi film industry," she says. Honey last met Dharmendra around two to three years ago, when he was still full of enthusiasm and excitement about returning to work in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) and Ikkis (2025). "He was still raring to go," she says, "but that warmth and kindness were still intact." Her stories leave one thing clear: long before he became a legend, Dharmendra was a kind man, and that's the part we will miss the most.