Sholay’s golden moment: Dharmendra’s love confession to Hema Malini after a few pegs and the Rs 20 trick for extra hugs

Sholay: The Final Cut returned to Indian cinemas this week in a restored 4K version, commemorating 50 years of the 1975 classic. Featuring the original ending, the re-release also carries an emotional tribute to Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24.

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As Veeru rides back onto the big screen, filmmaker Ramesh Sippy has revisited one of the film’s most heartfelt moments- one that blurred the line between performance and reality. 

A Confession Fueled by Emotion and a Few Pegs

During a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Sippy revealed how deeply Dharmendra was immersed while filming Veeru’s famous confession scene for Basanti.

He recalled, "He was in the mood. He drank a few pegs. I know that because I could see it in the way he climbed up and down the water tank. It used to scare me too. When I followed him up the water tank, he assured me nothing would happen and that it’s all acting. So, I gave him a free hand. Because it was his confession of love in front of everyone. He was ready to sacrifice his love so even Mausiji relented. Since this was his confession of real love, he put all his might into it."

Sippy acknowledged that the scene leaned heavily into method acting, as Dharmendra’s real-life feelings for Hema Malini mirrored Veeru’s emotions.

He added, "What’s happening in the film, that’s also the reality now. So, it felt nice. I also felt it’s good for the film because the real romance reflects on screen as well."

Rs 20 for One More Take and One More Hug

Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s story had begun years earlier with Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970). By the time Sholay went on floors, his affection was no longer restrained- it was open, playful, and persistent. During a revolver-training sequence, Dharmendra wanted to stretch every shared moment.

Also Check: Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini’s half-written love story: The real reason they broke up, it wasn’t Dharmendra

He discreetly paid spot boys Rs 20 to “accidentally” drop reflectors, shake trolleys, or trigger minor delays. Each retake meant extra time beside Hema. Over the course of the shoot, he reportedly spent close to Rs 2,000 on these orchestrated interruptions. Far from being irritated, Hema understood the gesture and took it in stride.

Asked about this anecdote in an ETimes interview in October 2025, Sippy responded with amused acceptance.

He said, “I’m sure he did a lot of things, but it did not hamper my work. It took time for me to take my shots. So he had plenty of time to romance. I didn’t have to do anything. I just had to do my work and take my time doing my kind of work, which gave them enough time, I guess, to be together.”

A Final Bow on the Big Screen

One of Bollywood’s most versatile stars, Dharmendra reigned over Hindi cinema for more than six decades. His recent turn in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaanii reminded audiences of his enduring charm. His passing marked the close of an era, mourned widely across the film fraternity and beyond.

Also Read: Dharmendra rewrote Sholay’s destiny! Shatrughan Sinha reaction to Amitabh Bachchan replacing him as Jai; Jaya getting the ‘wasted role’ tag

Though he is no longer with us, audiences will see Dharmendra one last time in Ikkis, a film that traces the inspiring life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee- bringing a storied career to a fitting cinematic close.