Mumbai, Nov. 30 -- From my earliest memories, Dharmendraji has been a part of my life. Growing up in the Khar-Bandra area, I watched his films with wide-eyed admiration and found him to be the most handsome actor to ever grace the screen. Because I lived in that neighbourhood, I often wandered near shooting locations and saw film units at work. I can still picture him vividly-standing on set, surrounded by lights and cameras, and yet radiating the ease and warmth of someone who belonged to everyone. Even as a child, I admired him instinctively. Watching him shoot for films like Naukar Biwi Ka, Biwi O Biwi, Biwi Ki Jhooti, and Sachai shaped the way I saw him as an artist and as a person.

What struck me at a very young age was the way he t...