When Dharmendra revealed that he consumed 12 bottles of beer on the set of ‘Sholay’, he confessed, “Love killed me, alcohol killed me.”

By Ayush Sachan

Dharmendra’s journey in Indian cinema stands as one of the most inspiring chapters in Bollywood’s history. From his early days as a romantic hero to becoming the beloved “He-Man” of Hindi films, he built a career that captivated millions. However, behind the fame, he also faced significant challenges that shaped him as a person, one of the most notable being his long and complicated relationship with alcohol.

Another well-known incident occurred on the sets of Sholay, where Dharmendra’s drinking habits reached their peak. He vividly recalled how, during a lengthy shoot, he consumed significantly more alcohol than expected. He mentioned that the cameraman brought multiple bottles of beer to sustain him throughout the day, and Dharmendra discreetly sipped from that supply. Reflecting on the situation, he expressed surprise when the production staff informed him that he had consumed 12 bottles.

Dharmendra, the renowned actor, passed away on Monday at the age of 89 in his Juhu residence. He made his last appearance in several films, including Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’ and ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’. Fans will bid farewell to him on the big screen in the upcoming film ‘Ikkis’.