Asha Parekh has opened up about her long-standing connection with Dharmendra, remembering him not just as a co-star but as someone who remained an important part of her life long after their films together stopped rolling. Their on-screen pairing delivered several memorable classics such as Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Samadhi, Chirag, and Kanyadaan, cementing them as one of the iconic duos of Hindi cinema’s golden years.As tributes continue to pour in following Dharmendra’s death on November 24, 2025, Asha Parekh spoke to NDTV and shared personal anecdotes that reveal the warmth and humanity of the star she knew.
‘Sunny!’ — Asha Parekh on who resembles Dharmendra the most
When asked which of Dharmendra’s children reminds her most of him, Asha did not pause to think.“Sunny!” she said immediately.She went on to explain, “Sunny looks very much like him and is also a very emotional person like Dharam ji.”Her comments highlighted not just physical similarities but the emotional depth and gentleness she associated with Dharmendra.
Fond memories with the Deol family
Asha Parekh’s relationship with the Deols extends far beyond co-starring in films. She recalled spending time with Dharmendra’s children during their younger days, especially his eldest daughter Vijeta, affectionately known as Laali.“She has those photographs,” Asha said, smiling at the memory of Laali often sitting in her lap during gatherings.She also spoke warmly of Hema Malini, describing her as, “A wonderful person, and a very strong woman.”These recollections underscore a shared history that spans generations.Asha shared that while she and Dharmendra did not meet frequently, their bond never faded. She fondly remembered his gesture of attending the launch of her book The Hit Girl.They also worked together on two reality shows and would occasionally run into each other at public events, including Aamir Khan’s daughter’s wedding. Each meeting, she said, carried an ease that only old friendships possess.
A death scene interrupted by real-life chaos
One of Asha Parekh’s most unforgettable memories came from the sets of Samadhi, during a scene where Dharmendra’s character had to cry over her supposed death. Hours before the shoot, however, both actors were dealing with a major disruption — their homes had been raided by the Income Tax Department.“I was supposed to be dead, and he was crying near my body. But on that particular day, both our houses were raided… My eyes would flutter — they just wouldn’t stop fluttering,” she recalled with a laugh.Dharmendra, too, was distressed, and both had to secure special permission to report to set.“It was a very funny situation, but at that time, we were both very tense,” she added. Even amid her grief, Asha Parekh emphasised a quality she believed defined Dharmendra beyond his stardom.“Stardom never touched him,” she said quietly, offering a final reflection on the humility that made him beloved both on and off the screen.
