Veteran composer and singer Anu Malik has opened up about his cherished bond with the late legendary actor Dharmendra, revealing that the Bollywood icon was particularly fond of the playful number 'Pal Pal Na Mane Tinku Jiya' from the 2011 film Yamla Pagla Deewana. The disclosure offers a rare personal glimpse into the warmth between two stalwarts of Hindi cinema.

A Song That Made Dharmendra Smile

According to Anu Malik, Dharmendra — widely celebrated as the 'He-Man' of Bollywood — had a genuine affection for the upbeat, mischievous track. 'Dharam Ji was very fond of my music. In fact, I once came up with a playful number, 'Pal Pal Na Mane Tinku Jiya', and Dharam Ji, being extremely joyful himself, used to love that song. He also loved my melodious numbers. He used to treat me just like a family member, hence we used to meet very often,' Malik said.

A Bond Rooted in the Deol Family

Malik described his relationship with the Deol family as deeply personal, extending well beyond professional collaboration. He noted a particularly close association with Sunny Deol, for whom he composed the music of 'Sohni Mahiwal' — Sunny's second film. 'I had always enjoyed an extremely homely relationship with Dharam Ji. I have been very close to Sunny. I even gave the music for his second movie, Sohni Mahiwal,' he said.

Malik also recalled how he would seek out Dharmendra to understand the craft behind iconic songs. 'Given the fact that we have grown up watching and admiring his songs, I used to always be at his feet. I used to even ask him about how a particular song of his was shot. However, he did not use to say anything and used to just keep looking at me,' he shared.

Hema Malini: An Enduring Creative Partnership

Beyond the Deol connection, Malik spoke warmly about veteran actress Hema Malini, tracing a creative partnership that spanned multiple films. Their first collaboration was in 'Maarg', followed by 'Awaargi', which was also produced by Hema Malini. He credited her with shaping his compositional instincts through constant, engaged feedback during recording sessions.

'She has inspired me so much. She used to give constant feedback while I composed the songs. When her movie, 'Ek Chadar Maili Si' came out, she really fell in love with my music. There will never be a more beautiful person than Hema Malini,' Malik said. Notably, the remarks come at a time when public interest in Bollywood's golden-era connections remains high, with several veterans revisiting shared memories following Dharmendra's passing.

Legacy and Reflection

Anu Malik's recollections paint a picture of a film industry where personal relationships and musical sensibility were deeply intertwined. His association with the Deol family across generations — from Dharmendra to Sunny Deol — underscores how composers of his era built careers through sustained personal trust as much as creative output. As Bollywood continues to celebrate its legacy artists, such firsthand accounts serve as valuable archival testimony.