Sascha Sippy, custodian of the Sholay legacy, released an emotional tribute today, to mark what would have been Dharmendra’s birthday and to honour the screen icon’s recent passing. “Had GP Sippy Sahib been here with us today, he would have been the first to champion this tribute to Dharam-ji,” Sippy said, calling the day “especially poignant.”
Dharmendra, one of India’s most enduring matinee idols, passed away last week. Sippy said the news had come as “a shocker” and described feeling a profound personal loss. “A true legend who left an indelible mark on the hearts of our nation. His generosity and kindness to one and all will never be forgotten,” he wrote.
In his post, Sippy recalled Dharmendra’s influence on Sholay, noting that GP Sippy built the film with him at its centre. He also highlighted the actor’s support for casting a young Amitabh Bachchan, a decision that would become a touchstone moment in Indian cinema.
“Sholay was built on his spirit,” Sippy wrote. “Through my toughest times, he stood by me with love and strength. His absence leaves a void.”
Sippy described Dharmendra as a steady presence in both his personal and professional life, especially during difficult periods following GP Sippy’s death. He said the actor’s guidance and encouragement remained a source of strength.
Reflecting on earlier memories, Sippy recalled meeting Dharmendra with his grandfather in 1999, when he became custodian of the Sippy legacy. At the film’s 25th anniversary press conference, he said, Dharmendra arrived early, stayed late and spent hours reminiscing with the family, alongside Hema Malini.
Sippy added that Dharmendra supported plans for a new version of Sholay in 2000 and “went out of his way to help.”
Marking the actor’s birthday, Sippy said the tribute doubled as a celebration of a life that shaped Indian cinema. Had GP Sippy been alive, he said, the 50-year anniversary of Sholay would have been dedicated to Dharmendra.
Sippy also acknowledged the wider team behind Sholay, recognising Hema Malini for her “grace and strength,” Amitabh Bachchan for a performance that defined a generation, and Jaya Bachchan for her “quiet power.” He credited Amjad Khan and Sanjeev Kumar as central to the film’s impact, and thanked the technicians, creative teams and British crew whose work helped define the film’s scale.
Dharmendra’s legacy, Sippy said, endures through his films, his relationships and the place he holds in the hearts of millions.
