Amitabh Bachchan recalls Dharmendra's open-door hospitality on KBC
Synopsis
On the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Amitabh Bachchan shared a story that said more about Dharmendra than any obituary could — strangers walking into his home unannounced, and Dharmendra simply assuming his wife had invited them. 'Bahut bada dil tha,' said Big B. It was a reminder that India lost not just a superstar, but a genuinely large-hearted man.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan shared a personal anecdote about Dharmendra's legendary hospitality on Kaun Banega Crorepati .
Bachchan recalled how 4-5 strangers once walked into Dharmendra's home uninvited, and Dharmendra assumed his wife had invited them.
He described Dharmendra's home as a 'free for all', saying the veteran actor had a 'bahut bada dil' — a very big heart.
The two actors are celebrated for their iconic roles as Jai and Veeru in Sholay , with the friendship anthem Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge remaining beloved 50 years on.
Dharmendra passed away in November last year ; Bachchan and his son Abhishek were among the first to pay their respects at the crematorium.
Amitabh Bachchan paid a warm tribute to his late Sholay co-star Dharmendra on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati, recounting a humorous yet deeply touching story about the legendary actor's boundless generosity and open-door hospitality. The anecdote, shared on 14 August, offered a rare personal glimpse into the off-screen bond between two of Bollywood's most iconic figures.
The Story Behind the Open Door
Bachchan recalled how Dharmendra's home was, in his own words, a 'free for all' — a place where anyone could walk in and feel at home. He narrated an incident where Dharmendra returned to find four to five strangers casually climbing the stairs of his own house. When he asked who they were, they replied they had come from the village, and Dharmendra simply assumed his wife must have invited them.
'He himself didn't even know how many people were coming and going in his house,' Bachchan said, adding that the veteran actor 'always welcomed everybody with love and warmth.' He concluded with characteristic warmth: 'Bahut bada dil tha' — he had such a massive heart.
Jai and Veeru: A Bond That Transcended the Screen
The camaraderie Bachchan described was no surprise to those who remember the duo's legendary on-screen chemistry. As Jai and Veeru in Sholay, the two actors set a benchmark for cinematic friendship that has endured for five decades. The film's iconic song Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge — featuring the two stars on their three-wheeled bike — remains one of Hindi cinema's most beloved friendship anthems, still resonant more than 50 years after its release.
Dharmendra's Legacy and Bachchan's Final Farewell
Dharmendra passed away in November last year, leaving behind a cinematic legacy that spanned six decades. Bachchan, along with his son Abhishek Bachchan, was among the first to arrive at the crematorium to pay their final respects — a gesture that underscored the depth of a friendship forged on the sets of one of Indian cinema's greatest films.
Big B Back on KBC
The tribute came as Bachchan returned to host Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz reality show with which he has been synonymous for over two decades. His candid reminiscences on the show have consistently offered viewers a window into Bollywood's golden era, and this episode was no different.
Point of View
Then shrugging it off, is funnier and more revealing than any formal eulogy. It also reflects a generational culture of hospitality in Hindi cinema's golden era that has largely disappeared. That this story surfaces on a prime-time quiz show, months after Dharmendra's passing, suggests Bachchan is consciously keeping the memory alive for a younger audience that knew Dharmendra only as an icon, not as a person.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about Dharmendra on Kaun Banega Crorepati?
Amitabh Bachchan recalled how Dharmendra's home was open to everyone, with strangers freely walking in and making themselves at home. He shared a specific incident where Dharmendra found 4-5 unknown men climbing his stairs and simply assumed his wife had invited them, describing him as someone with a 'bahut bada dil' — a very big heart.
What was the friendship between Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra known for?
The two actors are best remembered for their iconic roles as Jai and Veeru in the 1975 film Sholay. Their on-screen chemistry set a benchmark for cinematic friendship in Bollywood, and the song Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge remains one of Hindi cinema's most beloved tracks more than 50 years after its release.
When did Dharmendra pass away?
Dharmendra passed away in November last year. Amitabh Bachchan, along with his son Abhishek Bachchan, was among the first to arrive at the crematorium to pay their final respects to the legendary actor.
Why is Amitabh Bachchan back in the news?
Amitabh Bachchan has returned as host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the long-running iconic quiz reality show. His candid reminiscences about Bollywood's golden era on the show have drawn fresh attention, including this tribute to Dharmendra.
What is the significance of Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge?
Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge, from the 1975 film Sholay, features Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra on a three-wheeled bike and is considered one of Hindi cinema's most iconic friendship anthems. The song continues to resonate with audiences more than 50 years after its release.
