Friendship Day: When Amitabh Bachchan remembered Dharmendra with emotional words: ‘A vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus’
Friendship Day is a reminder of the bonds that stand the test of time, and few friendships in Hindi cinema are as iconic as that of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. Their camaraderie extended far beyond the sets, giving audiences unforgettable moments on screen and a lifelong friendship off it. On this special occasion, here’s a look back at Amitabh’s deeply emotional tribute to his friend, whose warmth, generosity and simplicity left an everlasting impact on his life.
A friendship that began with trust
The story of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s friendship is closely tied to one of Indian cinema’s greatest classics. Amitabh has often revealed that it was Dharmendra who recommended his name to director Ramesh Sippy for the role of Jai in ‘Sholay’.That gesture laid the foundation for the legendary Jai-Veeru duo, a friendship that continues to be celebrated by generations of movie lovers. Coincidentally, ‘Sholay’ also completed 50 years, reaffirming the timeless appeal of their on-screen chemistry.
Amitabh’s emotional tribute to Dharmendra
After Dharmendra’s demise, Amitabh shared an emotional note on his blog, remembering the man he considered not just a colleague but a dear friend.He wrote, “Another valiant Giant has left us, left the arena, leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound.” Describing Dharmendra’s personality, Amitabh added, “He was the epitome of greatness, ever linked not only for his renowned physical presence, but for the largeness of his heart and its most endearing simplicity.”He also reflected on how Dharmendra never changed despite decades in the film industry, writing, “He brought with him the earthiness of the village in Punjab he came from and remained true to its temperament, unsoiled throughout his glorious career, in a fraternity that witnessed changes every decade. The fraternity underwent changes, not him. His smile, his charm and his warmth, extending to all that came in his vicinity, a rarity in the profession.”Ending the heartfelt tribute, Amitabh penned the poignant line, “The air about us swings vacant, a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus.”
Their memorable journey together
Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra first worked together in ‘Dost’ before going on to deliver some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable films, including ‘Chupke Chupke’ and ‘Sholay’. Their successful partnership continued with ‘Naseeb’, ‘Ram Balram’ and ‘Hum Kaun Hain’.Even decades later, their friendship remains one of Bollywood’s most cherished relationships, making Amitabh’s words an especially moving reminder on Friendship Day of the enduring bond they shared both on and off screen. Go to Source
