Bobby Deol on Dharmendra: 'Even his anger felt like love'
Synopsis
Bobby Deol's appearance on 'Shekhar Tonite' was less a celebrity chat and more a son's public reckoning with grief. His declaration — 'Main Dharmendra ka beta hoon' — said more about his identity than any filmography could. With 'Bandar' on the horizon, Bobby is navigating a career renaissance while carrying the weight of an irreplaceable legacy.
Key Takeaways
Bobby Deol appeared on Shekhar Suman's chat show 'Shekhar Tonite' , airing on YouTube every Friday .
He broke down recalling his late father Dharmendra , saying 'even his anger felt like love.' When asked his identity, Bobby replied: 'Main Dharmendra ka beta hoon' — I am Dharmendra's son.
The show is created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani .
Bobby's upcoming film 'Bandar' co-stars Sanya Malhotra , Saba Azad , and others; it centres on an ageing TV star accused of rape by an ex-girlfriend.
Bollywood actor Bobby Deol broke down while speaking about his late father, legendary star Dharmendra, on Shekhar Suman's chat show 'Shekhar Tonite', saying that every little thing about the veteran actor was lovable — and that even his anger felt like an expression of love. The emotional episode offered a rare, unguarded glimpse into the grief and admiration Bobby carries for his father.
Bobby's Tribute to Dharmendra
Recalling the outpouring of sorrow that followed Dharmendra's passing, Bobby said: '...mere liye mere papa ek aise insaan the jinhe puri duniya itna pyaar karti thi. Uska ehsaas rehta tha lekin jab woh chale gaye, itna dukh, itna pain jo humein hi nahi, meri family ko hi nahi, balki puri duniya ko hua.'
Translated, he conveyed that his father was someone loved deeply by the entire world — and that when he was gone, the grief was not just personal but universal. 'Wherever I go, I see how much everyone was affected… that's who papa was. Papa was special. No one can ever become like him, and no one can ever replace him,' he added.
The One Thing He Will Always Remember
When asked to name the single quality he would forever associate with his father, Bobby said there could never be just one. 'Unki har ek cheez itni pyaari thi. Unka gussa bhi pyaar tha,' he said — meaning every little thing about him was lovable, and even his anger felt like love. The response drew an emotional reaction from the studio.
Identity Beyond Stardom
Host Shekhar Suman asked Bobby whether he had come to the show as Vijay Singh Deol, Bobby Deol, Baba Deol, or 'Lord Bobby' — a nod to the actor's recent career resurgence. Bobby's answer was characteristically grounded: 'Main Dharmendra ka beta hoon' — I am Dharmendra's son. The line drew applause and encapsulated how deeply his father's legacy defines him.
About Shekhar Tonite
'Shekhar Tonite' is created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani. The show airs every Friday on YouTube and has featured candid conversations with prominent names from the Hindi film industry.
Bobby's Upcoming Film: Bandar
On the professional front, Bobby Deol is set to appear in the upcoming film 'Bandar', which also stars Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad, Sapna Pabbi, Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty, and Jitendra Joshi. The film centres on an ageing television star who is accused of rape by his former girlfriend — a story that marks a bold dramatic turn for Bobby following his widely praised villain roles in recent years.
Point of View
And Bobby's emotional candour on a YouTube chat show reflects how celebrity mourning has shifted from formal tributes to raw, unscripted vulnerability. What is notable is that Bobby's career resurgence — 'Lord Bobby' as the internet calls it — has not distanced him from his father's shadow; if anything, it has made him lean into it harder. That identity ('Main Dharmendra ka beta hoon') is both his inheritance and his anchor, and no amount of villain-role reinvention has changed that calculus.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Bobby Deol say about his late father Dharmendra?
Bobby Deol said that every little thing about Dharmendra was lovable, and that even his anger felt like love. Speaking on 'Shekhar Tonite', he described his father as someone irreplaceable whose passing caused grief not just in the family but across the world.
What is 'Shekhar Tonite' and where can you watch it?
'Shekhar Tonite' is a chat show hosted by Shekhar Suman, created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani. It airs every Friday on YouTube.
What is Bobby Deol's upcoming film Bandar about?
'Bandar' is an upcoming film starring Bobby Deol alongside Sanya Malhotra, Saba Azad, Sapna Pabbi, Indrajith Sukumaran, Raj B. Shetty, and Jitendra Joshi. The film revolves around an ageing television star who is accused of rape by his ex-girlfriend.
How did Bobby Deol describe his identity when asked on the show?
When host Shekhar Suman asked whether he had come as Vijay Singh Deol, Bobby Deol, Baba Deol, or 'Lord Bobby', the actor replied simply: 'Main Dharmendra ka beta hoon' — I am Dharmendra's son.
Who else was affected by Dharmendra's passing, according to Bobby Deol?
Bobby said the grief was not limited to him or his family — it was felt by the entire world. He noted that wherever he goes, people express how deeply Dharmendra's passing affected them.
