When Zeenat Aman called Dharmendra strikingly handsome and a down-to-earth gentleman: 'He was my favourite co-star'

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman is known for sharing several anecdotes about her movies and co-stars on social media and fans love that. The actress had once spoken about working with Dharmendra and revealed that he's her favourite co-star. She posed a picture from the song Sare Bazar Karenge Pyaar from the film Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981).

In one of the images, Zeenat is seen sporting a moustache while playing a male character, and Dharmendra dons a white dress, taking on a female role. Speaking about it, Zeenat wrote that people should have the freedom to “dress as they please, without being threatened or assaulted.”


Posting a monochrome still from the song Naya Naya Hota Hai (Jagir, 1984), where she dazzled in a silver outfit paired with statement earrings and Dharmendra wore a matching ensemble in black, Zeenat captioned her post, “Some personal opinions, two throwback images, and an anecdote… catalysed by the discovery of these pictures yesterday! Of the many actors I had the privilege of being a costar to, Dharm ji was a favourite.”

She fondly remembered her co-star, adding, “Yes, he was strikingly handsome, but more importantly he was a down-to-earth gentleman. There were no pretences or airs about him, and that made me feel most comfortable on set. Dharm ji and I starred in a number of films together, including the international heist Shalimar. If you recall, I previously shared that this film was simultaneously shot in English and Hindi to cater to both audiences. Well, Dharm ji required assistance with his English dialogues and I required help with my Hindi. And so, post the daily shoot you would find each of us with our respective tutors, studiously running our lines for hours!”

Clarifying that the first image was from Kaatilon Ke Kaatil, Zeenat continued, “These pictures aren’t from Shalimar though. The first picture here is from the song Saare Bazaar Karenge Pyar from the film Kaatilon Ke Kaatil. It’s an excellent number, with a full-fledged gender role reversal! I posted this image first because I think people should have the right to dress as they please, without being threatened or assaulted. Perhaps the picturization of the song was meant to be comical, but its message is clear — dikha de ham mohabbat mein hai kitna dam, duniya maanegi maanegi maanegi mohabbat aise hoti hai (Let us show how strong love can be, the world will agree love is like this).”

She wrapped up her post with a light-hearted note about the second picture, saying, “The second picture is from the film Jagir. And I chose it because our look was sizzling in this number. I had on a glittering silver jumpsuit and Dharm ji had a matching one in black leather! The song is called Naya Naya Hota Hain Purana Purana, which could be quite a good heading for an essay about my Instagram debut! Have a wonderful day, everyone.”

Over the years, Zeenat Aman and Dharmendra shared screen space in several hits, including Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Dharam-Veer (1977), Shalimar (1978), Ram Balram (1980), Professor Pyarelal (1981), Samraat (1982), and Jagir (1984), among others.


Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here