Rakesh Bedi is enjoying a renewed wave of popularity following the big reveal surrounding his beloved character Jameel Jamali in 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'. After winning widespread appreciation for his performance in Aditya Dhar’s directorial, led by
Ranveer Singh, the veteran actor has now been lauded by filmmaker and longtime collaborator David Dhawan, who also happens to be his batchmate from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
David Dhawan expressed that the recognition Bedi is receiving now is long overdue, even if it has come decades later. He also revealed that the actor will feature in his upcoming film 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' which stars Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur. The 'Hero No 1' director has reacted to the appreciation that his buddy Rakesh Bedi is getting.
"Our friendship is 50 years old. He has worked in a lot of films of mine. He is in this one (Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai) too. I told him, 'Fifty years ago they didn't recognise you, they are discovering you just now'. He is a fine actor, he was always a good actor. I said, 'You are crossing 70 years and you are getting recognition. But it's very good. He deserved it fully," David Dhawan told Bollywood Hungama.
When asked whether success has changed Rakesh Bedi, Dhawan hinted at a noticeable shift in his demeanor, though in an affectionate tone. "You can see the spark and the way he now comes walking. 'Yaar teri chaal change ho gayi, hamari baat hoti rehti hai (The way you walk has changed, we are in touch).' He is my classmate, we were even ragged together at FTII. It's amazing."
Over the years, David Dhawan and Rakesh Bedi have worked together on several popular films, including Hero No. 1, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, and the remake of Coolie No. 1.
Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the
latest Hindi movies,
upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and
Telugu movies.”
The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of jou...
Read MoreThe TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.
Read Less