Starstruck Dharmendra snuck into idol Dilip Kumar's home 6 years before his debut: ‘Began to fancy we were siblings’ | Bollywood

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**Revised Title:** Dharmendra's Starstruck Encounter: How He Crashed Dilip Kumar's Bedroom 6 Years Before His Debut **Revised Article:** Dharmendra, the legendary Indian actor who left an indelible mark on the 65-year-long history of Indian cinema, passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai on Monday. The iconic star, known for his versatility and dedication to his craft, had an interesting anecdote from his early days, which he shared in the Reminiscences section of Dilip Kumar's autobiography, The Substance and the Shadow. In 1952, Dharmendra, then a college student, traveled to Bombay to meet his idol, Dilip Kumar. He was deeply moved by Dilip's performance in the film Shaheed and felt an inexplicable connection with the thespian. "For some reason, I began to fancy that Dilip Kumar and I were siblings," Dharmendra recalled. Without hesitation, Dharmendra boldly walked into Dilip's house in Bandra's Pali Mala locality, not stopping at the gate or being deterred by anyone. He climbed the stairs and stood at the entrance to one of the rooms, where he found Dilip sleeping on a couch. The thespian woke up, startled, and Dharmendra stood still, unsure of what to do. Dilip called out to a servant, and Dharmendra, realizing he was in the wrong, ran down the stairs and out of the house. He later reflected on his actions, acknowledging that he had been reckless and intrusive. "In the villages of Punjab, the houses were always open to anyone who cared to drop in. But this was Bombay, the big city, and the house belonged to the star Dilip Kumar!" Six years later, Dharmendra returned to Bombay to participate in the United Producers and Filmfare Talent Contest. With the help of his sister, Farida, he finally met Dilip Kumar at his bungalow, 48 Pali Hill. The encounter was a turning point in their relationship, with Dilip treating Dharmendra like an elder brother. Dharmendra recalled being spellbound by Dilip's storytelling, listening to him speak in English, Punjabi, and Urdu. The actor was touched by Dilip's kindness and generosity, particularly when he gave him a sweater to keep warm. "He hugged me and saw me off at the gate. I can still feel the warmth of that hug because it was genuine." Dharmendra went on to meet Dilip on many occasions, always feeling a sense of awe and respect for his idol. He kept a photograph of Dilip in his house, next to pictures of his parents and sons, as a reminder of their special bond.