Dharmendra Was Close to THIS Star, Preferred Him Over Sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol to Play a Key Role — Here’s the Full Story

Dharmendra and Salman Khan sharing a heartfelt moment at a Bollywood event

By Entertainment Desk | Mumbai | November 2025

The Bond That Surprised Everyone

Bollywood’s legendary “He-Man,” Dharmendra, has always been admired for his charm, humility, and heartwarming personality — both on and off the screen. With a career spanning over six decades, he has not only gifted fans countless cinematic gems but also built relationships that go far beyond the film set.

While his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol have proudly carried forward the Deol legacy, there’s one superstar outside the family whom Dharmendra held exceptionally close to his heart — an actor he even once admitted he’d have preferred over his own sons for a special role.

And that actor is none other than Salman Khan — one of Bollywood’s biggest and most beloved icons.

What makes this bond particularly fascinating is how unexpected it was for many fans. In an industry where family ties often define professional collaborations, Dharmendra’s admiration for someone outside his immediate circle stood out. It challenged the conventional belief that legacy families primarily prioritize their own members for key roles.

This revelation also reflects Dharmendra’s openness as an artist. Rather than being limited by personal relationships, he has always been known to recognize talent wherever he sees it. His willingness to publicly acknowledge another actor’s strengths, even in comparison to his own sons, speaks volumes about his honesty and artistic integrity.

For fans, this aspect of his personality adds a new dimension to his legacy. It shows that beyond being a father and a superstar, Dharmendra is someone who values authenticity and emotional connection in his professional choices.

A Friendship Forged in Mutual Respect

The friendship between Dharmendra and Salman Khan goes back decades. Both men, famous for their tough yet tender on-screen presence and grounded nature, bonded instantly.

Dharmendra once revealed that Salman reminded him of his younger days — emotional, impulsive, and deeply honest.

“I see a lot of myself in Salman,” Dharmendra once said in a heartfelt TV interview. “He is emotional, impulsive, and honest — qualities that remind me of my youth. There is purity in his heart, and that is rare today.”

Over the years, Salman too has openly called Dharmendra his idol and father figure. While they haven’t shared much screen space, their real connection has always been off-camera — built on mutual admiration and love.

The foundation of Dharmendra and Salman Khan’s relationship lies in mutual respect, something that is often considered rare in a competitive industry like Bollywood. Their admiration for each other is not rooted in professional necessity but in genuine appreciation of each other’s qualities.

Dharmendra has often spoken about the importance of staying grounded, regardless of success. In Salman, he saw someone who, despite immense fame, retained a sense of simplicity and humility. This shared outlook created a natural bond between the two.

Similarly, Salman’s respect for Dharmendra goes beyond admiration for his films. He has frequently acknowledged the veteran actor’s influence on his own approach to life and work. For Salman, Dharmendra represents an ideal — a combination of talent, humility, and emotional depth.

Their interactions, whether at public events or private gatherings, reflect a comfort and ease that can only come from genuine affection. This authenticity is what makes their friendship stand out in an industry often driven by strategic relationships.

Dharmendra’s Dream Project and His Choice

Back in the early 2000s, Dharmendra was reportedly developing a home production — an emotional family saga about love, conflict, and sacrifice. Naturally, fans expected his sons Sunny and Bobby to headline the film. But Dharmendra had someone else in mind.

He believed Salman Khan was the perfect fit for the lead role. The superstar’s blend of mass appeal and emotional depth reminded Dharmendra of his own intensity from his younger days.

“If there’s anyone who could portray the raw emotion and energy I had, it’s Salman,” Dharmendra once told a close associate.

For a while, there was genuine buzz about a collaboration between the two icons. Unfortunately, the project never took off due to scheduling conflicts and creative changes. Still, the affection between the two grew stronger over the years.

The decision to consider Salman Khan for a key role in his home production highlights Dharmendra’s commitment to storytelling. For him, casting was not just about familiarity or convenience but about finding the right person to bring a character to life.

This approach reflects his understanding of cinema as an art form. He recognized that certain roles require a specific emotional intensity, and he believed Salman possessed the qualities needed to deliver that performance.

The project itself, described as an emotional family drama, demanded a lead actor who could balance strength with vulnerability. Dharmendra saw these traits in Salman, making him his preferred choice.

Although the film did not materialize, the idea behind the casting decision offers insight into Dharmendra’s creative process. It shows his ability to look beyond personal connections and focus on what would best serve the story.

This perspective is particularly significant in an industry where casting decisions are often influenced by commercial considerations.

Beyond the Screen: A Fatherly Connection

For Dharmendra, Salman wasn’t just another actor — he was like another son. People close to the Deol family often recall how fondly Dharmendra spoke of Salman, praising his loyalty, humility, and respect for elders.

Whenever Salman visited the Deol home, he was treated like family — sharing stories, laughter, and long conversations over home-cooked meals.

During the promotions of “Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se” (2018), Salman made a special cameo appearance. Dharmendra’s joy was visible to everyone. On stage, he hugged Salman and said with emotion:

“Salman mere dil ka tukda hai (Salman is a piece of my heart).”

That moment captured their bond perfectly — warm, genuine, and filled with mutual respect.

The relationship between Dharmendra and Salman Khan extends beyond professional admiration, taking on a more personal and emotional dimension. Dharmendra’s affection for Salman is often described as fatherly, reflecting a bond built on care and guidance.

This dynamic is evident in the way Dharmendra speaks about Salman, often expressing pride in his achievements and concern for his well-being. Such sentiments go beyond typical industry friendships, indicating a deeper connection.

Salman, in turn, has shown respect and affection that mirrors this bond. His interactions with Dharmendra often carry a sense of warmth and familiarity, suggesting a relationship that is both respectful and affectionate.

These moments, whether shared publicly or privately, highlight the human side of their connection. They remind fans that behind the glamour of cinema are relationships built on genuine emotions.

Why Dharmendra Preferred Salman for a Key Role

Dharmendra has often explained that his choice of Salman had nothing to do with favoritism — it was purely artistic instinct. He saw in Salman a rare blend of strength, vulnerability, and emotional honesty that reminded him of his own work in classics like Satyakam, Anupama, and Phool Aur Patthar.

He once told a journalist:

“Sunny has power, Bobby has grace, but Salman has that emotional honesty that instantly connects with people.”

For Dharmendra, the decision wasn’t about overlooking his sons but about following his creative gut.

“As a father, I love my sons. As an artist, I follow my heart — and my heart says Salman fits that part perfectly,” he said in a candid interview years ago.

Salman’s Admiration and Loyalty

Salman Khan has always expressed his deep affection for Dharmendra. He often speaks about the lessons he’s learned from the veteran — not just about acting, but about life.

In his words:

“Dharmendra saab taught me that being a good actor is useless if you’re not a good human being.”

Salman has often been spotted standing beside Dharmendra at family events, award shows, and film launches. When the veteran actor faced health challenges in recent years, Salman personally checked on him.

“He’s like family. I’ll always be there for him,” Salman once told reporters.

Two Generations, One Spirit

In many ways, the two stars mirror each other. Dharmendra ruled the ’60s and ’70s as the original action-romantic hero, while Salman carried that same charisma into the modern era. Both are deeply emotional, fiercely loyal, and sometimes misunderstood — yet adored by millions.

Their mutual admiration is rooted in shared values: humility, hard work, family devotion, and a refusal to let fame change who they are. Both have faced ups and downs but have emerged loved and respected by fans across generations.

A Relationship Beyond Blood

Even today, Dharmendra’s social media posts and public appearances often draw affectionate comments from Salman’s fans, who celebrate the two stars’ friendship. Their relationship isn’t defined by fame — it’s built on genuine human connection.

In an industry often accused of being superficial, the bond between Dharmendra and Salman stands as a rare example of heartfelt respect that transcends competition and age.

Dharmendra’s fondness for Salman was never about replacing his sons — it was about recognizing true spirit and sincerity. It was an artist’s acknowledgment of another artist who carried the same fire and emotional honesty he once did.