Dharmendra's Partition Pain: Friends Lost

Veteran actor Dharmendra, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. Known affectionately as the "son of the soil," he remained deeply connected to his origins throughout his illustrious career, which began with a focus on portraying the earnest common man.

During a past conversation, an emotional Dharmendra shared poignant memories of the Partition. He recalled his close childhood friendships in Punjab with Abdul Jabbar and Akram, highlighting the pre-Partition harmony. The actor recounted his deep sorrow upon witnessing the forced departures and the sense of loss.

Dharmendra, who spent his early years in Ludhiana, Punjab, and whose father was a headmaster, will be seen one last time in Sriram Raghavan's upcoming film 'Ikkis.' He played a significant role in shaping Indian cinema, collaborating with renowned directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee.