When I tried to meet film star Dharmendra

                When I tried to meet film star Dharmendra

I started my career as an artist. I create comics and animation. About 30 years ago, I made up my mind to go to Mumbai to try my luck because the acting bug had bitten me hard. So, I packed my art supplies and some essentials in a bag, and without telling anyone, I ran away to Mumbai. I boarded the Frontier Mail and got off at Borivali station at 5:30 AM the next morning.

When I stepped out of the station, I saw a long line of auto-rickshaws. I asked one auto driver to take me to an address a friend from Delhi had given me, saying I could stay with him for a few days. When I reached the address, I found that the house was on a small hill in a poor neighborhood called Dongri. The moment the person whose house it was saw me, he got nervous. When I explained why I had come, he looked down and said, ‘This place isn’t suitable for you,’ judging from my clothes and personality.

From his reaction, I understood that he didn’t want to give me shelter. Looking at his small room, I also realized that I wouldn’t be able to adjust there. So, I didn’t argue and turned to leave. Just then, he said, ‘Wait, have some tea first, then I’ll drop you at a lodge.’ I politely declined and said I’d manage on my own. I came down from Dongri and decided to stay in a lodge.

I looked around and saw an auto nearby. I asked the driver if there was a lodge in the area. He said there was a cheap one, and I asked him to take me there. As we drove, the driver suddenly asked what had happened at the address I had gone to earlier. I was surprised and asked how he knew. He turned his head slightly and said, ‘I’m the same driver who took you there from the station.’ I looked closely and realized he was right. I told him everything. He said not to worry and suggested I stay in the lodge for a few days while he tried to find a place for me. One thing I’ll say — common people in Mumbai are really helpful.

We reached the lodge — it was quite run-down, and the rent was ₹30 per day. I paid in advance and left my bag in the store room. The auto driver, Sagar, promised to return and left.

By then, it was 8:30 AM. I’ve been a huge fan of film star Dharmendra since childhood, though I had never seen him — nor even seen the ocean. I thought, why not visit Chowpatty, which I’d heard a lot about, and maybe even try to visit Dharmendra’s house.

I took bus number 203 and reached Chowpatty. At first, I thought there was no sea, just an open field with shiny papers flying in the wind. But when I focused my eyes, I realized it was the sea, and the “papers” were actually the sparkling reflections of sunlight on the water. I spent some time at the seashore and then thought of asking someone about Dharmendra’s house. I saw a well-dressed woman and asked her. She said, ‘Dharmendra doesn’t live here — he lives in Bandra.’

I got excited and took a taxi to Bandra. When we arrived, the taxi driver asked for the specific address. I told him I wanted to go to Dharmendra’s house. ‘Which Dharmendra? The movie star?’ he asked. I nodded. He replied, ‘He doesn’t live here — he lives in Juhu, from where I picked you up earlier!’ I felt frustrated and sighed. I asked if he knew where exactly Dharmendra lived. He said, ‘Yes, I can drop you at the gate of his house.’ I agreed.

He took me back to Juhu and dropped me off in front of a luxurious house. A security guard in a green uniform was sitting outside. Today, the security there is tight, but back then there was just one guard. I approached him and said I wanted to meet Dharmendra. He asked where I was from. I said Delhi. He responded, ‘People come from London, Paris, and Italy to meet him — he doesn’t meet anyone. What great feat have you done coming from Delhi?’

I pleaded with him, telling him I was a big fan since childhood. He replied, ‘I’ve also been his fan since childhood, which is why I took up this job as a security guard. But even I don’t get to see him for six months at a stretch!’ Still, I didn’t give up and insisted on meeting Dharmendra. Then the guard suggested I try his film studio near Juhu Beach. ‘If you’re lucky, you might meet him there,’ he said.

I took another auto and, asking around, reached the studio. But I was told Dharmendra had just left for home. I immediately rushed back to his house and told the guard that he was on his way back from the studio. The guard said no one had arrived yet. Just then, a car arrived. The guard quickly moved me aside and opened the gate. A few people were in the car, and I caught a faint glimpse of a man sitting by the window — but the car sped inside so quickly, I couldn’t be sure if it was Dharmendra or not.

The guard quickly shut the gate. I again requested to be let in, but he refused. Eventually, he said, ‘No one is allowed inside.’ I thought to myself — there’s no use — and quietly returned to my lodge in Borivali.

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Have you ever tried to meet your favorite film star? How was your experience? Please share in the comments.”