M Padmakumar reminisces about his memorable meeting with Dharmendra ahead of Joseph remake

Filmmaker M Padmakumar has shared an emotional note about legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra who passed away. The director noted that he got the chance to meet Dharmendra when he was in Manali to discuss the Hindi remake of the Malayalam movie ‘Joseph’ featuring Joju Joseph in the lead role. Although the Hindi remake is complete, Padmakumar regrets not getting the chance to show the movie to Dharmendra.

Padmakumar’s social media post read, “Dharmendra, India’s biggest superstar who captivated a generation of audience with his intense action sequences and expressive romantic scenes, has bid adieu. My meeting with Dharmendra who is fondly called Dharamji was an extremely emotional one. I met Sunny Deol at his residence in Manali to discuss the Hindi remake of Joseph, which I directed in 2022.

I was accompanied by the movie’s producer Kamalji (Kamal Mukut). Before we met Sunny, we had the chance to meet Dharamji who was sitting on a chair in the farmhouse’s sprawling lawn. I was amazed by the warmth with which Dharamji received a filmmaker like me from Kerala. We spoke about Mammootty, Mohanlal and Malayalam cinema.

"While we were speaking to Sunny Deol about the movie, Dharamji and his family watched Joseph in their home theatre, with Kamalji having dubbed the film into Hindi just for them. When we finished our discussions and came out of the office, Dharamji was waiting for us in the living room. Kamalji and the others entered first, and I stood behind. Dharamji gestured for everyone to sit, but as I entered, he suddenly stood up. The legendary actor, once India’s biggest superstar, looked at me for a few moments, his eyes shining with genuine warmth. He pulled me close and said, “Well done, beta… well done.” I was so overwhelmed and thrilled that I didn’t catch what he said next. What I do remember is him asking about the lead actor, and me telling him about Joju. His words and that heartfelt embrace remain the greatest award I have ever received for directing Joseph.

After that meeting, Padmakumar met Dharmendra two more times at his Manali residence. He recalled how the legendary actor had showered him with the same love and affection he had shown the first time. “Let me also share an interesting memory from one of our meetings. While we were discussing the casting process, we considered the names of many leading female actors from both Bollywood and other industries. Everyone had a name in their minds and had multiple opinions. Finally, we turned to Dharamji for his opinion. We gave him the list of actresses that we planned to cast and asked him whom he preferred. Without thinking twice, he said in his quintessential style, ‘Do not ask me about the actresses; I love them all’!

All of us laughed, and it still reverberates in my ears. The Hindi remake of Joseph has been completed. We wished to announce the title of the movie on Dharamji’s birthday in December. But, he left without waiting for that. He didn’t wait to see how amazingly Sunny Deol has portrayed the role. But, I know, in fact, all of us know that he will be blessing us from somewhere up there. I am sure we will have his blessings. Just as he had lovingly embraced us that day, he will hold this movie close to his heart,” Padmakumar wrote.