A naram garam affair – Beyond Bollywood

Though he always showered love on media, the late great actor had once lost his cool at a few journalists.

By Mayur Lookhar

Veteran actor Dharmendra Deol passed away in Mumbai on Monday (24 November). He was 89. Sadly, this time it did not turn out to be a rumour. The legendary actor, the superstar, is being mourned by his dear ones, his legion of fans, the film industry, and people from all walks of life.

Veteran journalists who witnessed his six-decade-long career and more than 300 films are best suited to write tributes and obituaries. Younger journalists will share their selfies – at least the lucky ones who managed to be clicked with the legend. This humble writer never met the man in person but had the honour of speaking to him briefly in a telephonic interview around 2017-2018. The one thing that came through strongly in that conversation was how the legend felt fortunate to receive so much love in his career and in his life. Everyone, from all walks of life, genuinely loved him, and that is his legacy.

Dharmendra was a people’s man. He loved being around people and spreading love and joy. For a celebrity, especially in a country like India, you are always under the spotlight. Though generally a warm person, Dharmendra had also acquired the nickname “Garam Dharam” (hot-headed Dharam). Perhaps this was largely due to an eventful episode in his life when he got physical with one journalist and chased another.

A real story that has perhaps now become a small but inseparable chapter in the legend’s long life and career. On a warm day in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1986, Dharmendra and many other stars took to the streets to rally for a social cause. Naturally, when stars take to the streets, the media is around to capture these priceless moments.

Veteran journalist Inderjit Pannu, who was present that day, recalled the infamous incident when Dharmendra got into a fistfight with a journalist. What led to this?

“There used to be a journalist called M.R. Krishna, who worked for Cine Blitz magazine. Krishna and another journalist, Devyani Chaubal, then with Star & Style magazine, had both written a sensational story about Dharmendra and Hema Malini. A particular headline had really upset Dharam ji” Pannu told Beyond Bollywood. He continued, “During the rally, Dharmendra spotted Krishna and immediately went after him. A fight broke out, and the two had to be separated. Chaubal, who witnessed the incident, quickly escaped.”

We spoke to another veteran media personality who wished to remain anonymous. S/he claimed that a few stars intervened to separate the duo. After this incident, the “Garam Dharam” image only intensified. However, this perception was far from the complete truth. Pannu, described the man as very warm and hospitable.

“When it came to hospitality, no one could match Dharam paaji (brother).  He took special care of his media guests. Staff, women dressed in traditional Punjabi dresses, greeted guests, the media with buckets full of finest scotch and the best of food. Dharam ji was always very cordial with the media,” said Pannu.

Another journalist we spoke to echoed the sentiment. “Dharam ji was the best host, a truly warm person who never took his stardom seriously. Often, when he invited the media to his parties, he would say in Punjabi, “Baatein baat mein, pehle roti shoti kha lo” (talk later, let’s break bread first).”

Just to clear this: the Garam Dharam image has nothing to do with an angry persona, but there is a different story behind it. Seasoned journalist Chaitanya Padukone reminded us how Dharmendra got this name. He said, “Everyone confuses Garam Dharam with temper, but this was actually the title of an article written by columnist Shobha De, who had commented on Dharam ji’s topless show in Pathar Aur Phool (1966). Much before Salman Khan, Dharam ji had gone topless, with just a hanky or some cloth around his neck. Naturally, the women found it very hot, and so Shobha had appropriately given him the name Garam Dharam.”

No wonder Deol was the darling of the media and the masses back then. But he is admired even by the younger generation today. A few weeks ago, when the trailer for Ikkis was released, social media, especially among young cinephiles, was flooded with praise for the veteran actor, who most likely has a guest appearance in the Agastya Nanda-starrer upcoming Christmas release. Upon his death, the countless tributes from the youth further underscore his popularity across all eras and ages.

Ideally, such a man’s final journey would draw thousands but what transpired today was a very private funeral with the media mostly kept in the dark. Inderjit Pannu was a bit taken aback by this.  “Given the sad occasion, one shouldn’t be saying it, but for a man who was a star all his life, it (funeral) felt like that of… junior artist with hardly few attending it.” 

While he respected the family’s right to privacy, Pannu felt that a legend like Dharmendra also belonged to his countless fans, some of whom should have had the chance to pay their last respects.

Be it Dharmendra or his elder son Sunny, the Deols have an aura of awe and fear around them. Their physical presence adds to the intimidating factor. About a week ago, we saw Sunny lose his cool, slamming the paparazzi for not respecting the family’s privacy during this very tough month and a half. Then, two years ago, during a success press conference for Gadar 2, Sunny recalled the harsh criticism the original Gadar had received 22 years prior. This was a moment to celebrate, and the media was happy to join Sunny in celebrating the humongous success of Gadar 2. Yet, Sunny diving into the past was perhaps another example of the naram-garam Deol-media affair.

The best display of this naram-garam Deol was seen years ago when the legend Dharmendra was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. It was a moment to cherish. Dharam ji took the stage and spoke from the heart. He went on and on, and it soon became apparent that this was a cathartic moment, where the legend recalled being nominated several times but never winning the Best Actor award. That was vintage Dharmendra naram-garam moment in full display. Now that he’s bid the world goodbye, don’t be surprised if the great man is catching up with M.R. Krishna in heaven, sipping divine scotch and laughing over the events of 1986. What was that famous jingle from the surrogate ad? “Khoob jame ga rang, jab mil baithenge teen yaar, aap main aur Bagpiper”. Three cheers to Hindi cinema’s He-Man.

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