Veteran actors Dharmendra and Prem Chopra, who are currently undergoing treatment in separate Mumbai hospitals, share not just decades of cinematic history but also a deep bond that extends beyond the screen. The two have worked in many hit movies often as hero and villain and one story from 1974 perfectly shows their bond.
In 1974, while shooting for Pocket Maar, Dharmendra was set to perform a dangerous stunt sequence for the film’s climax. The scene required him to be roped to a moving vehicle and dragged, a sequence that most actors at the time would have handed over to a body double. But Dharmendra was ready to do it himself.
Prem Chopra, who played the antagonist in the film, grew concerned after learning Dharmendra was set to attempt the risky stunt unaided. As per reports, Chopra even approached one of Dharmendra’s close friends on set, and together they tried to convince the actor not to perform it.
They reportedly told him, “Don’t do this scene, your face could get ruined. Get this stunt scene done by a body double.” When Dharmendra heard their warning, he initially brushed it off, saying, “Why are you saying that? It’s fine, I’ll do it easily.”
A moment later, he laughed along with Prem Chopra and won his heart by giving a witty reply to his concern. He said, “I know why you’re telling me not to do this. So that my scene feels light and yours feels heavy, right?” The quick witted reply left Prem Chopra stunned and laughing.
Dharmendra and Prem Chopra health updates
Dharmendra is currently hospitalised at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. There were several reports regarding his health, with some suggesting that he is critical and some even assuming the worst.
Amid reports over the declining health of veteran actor Dharmendra, iconic Bollywood actor Prem Chopra, 90, was also hospitalised at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital over the weekend. His son-in-law and actor Vikas Bhalla confirmed to India Today that his hospitalisation was simply a precautionary measure. He informed that the actor’s condition is due to his advancing age and that he is ‘doing fine’.
