Dhurandhar 2 actor Salim Siddiqui may be steadily carving a space for himself in the industry, but he attributes his journey to someone he never even met—legendary star Dharmendra.In a recent conversation on Divyank Kaushik’s podcast, Siddiqui spoke about admiration, loss, missed chances, and how the veteran actor’s blessings continue to guide him.
‘I never met him… but I grew up on his films’
Looking back at his early days, Siddiqui shared how Dharmendra played a silent yet powerful role in shaping his journey.“If I have to give credit for my success to someone, there is one person whose blessings I feel have truly stayed with me. I never met him, but I’ve been his biggest fan since childhood. I grew up watching his films. Through social media, I started interacting with him—I would write to him, and he would reply with blessings, saying, ‘Live long, you will be very successful.’Those were his blessings. I truly loved him. Last year, we lost him… and that absence will always remain. If I had ever met him or written to him about my journey, I think he would have been very happy. I would have definitely given him credit for everything. Maybe it’s because of his blessings that I’m here today, speaking to all of you.”
‘That loss felt personal’
Siddiqui admitted that Dharmendra’s passing hit him deeply—almost like a personal bereavement.“When the news first came, it was shocking. Even during that period when he seemed to recover, we kept hoping—‘he’ll come back, he’ll be fine.’ You try to console yourself like that.I loved him a lot. In fact, I tried so many times to meet him. Whenever I came to Mumbai for shoots, I would tell people, ‘Please try and arrange a meeting with him.’ I always felt that one day, I would definitely meet him. But that meeting never happened. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Still, wherever he is today, I believe he’s watching us and feeling happy.”
‘I wanted just one introduction’
The actor also revealed how he even saw professional opportunities as a chance to fulfil a personal dream.“I even gave many auditions for films featuring Sunny Deol—like Chup, 1947 Lahore, and a few others. I thought if I get selected and reach him, I’ll just make one request: ‘Please introduce me to Dharam sir once.’ That was the only wish.”‘No one like him’Remembering Dharmendra not just as a star but as a human being, Siddiqui said his warmth was unmatched.“He was incredibly warm and genuine. You know how some celebrities are surrounded by security and distance—but he was never like that. He would call people close, make them sit next to him, hug them. That kind of warmth is very rare. There can never be another like him.Everyone I’ve ever heard has only praised him. I’ve never heard a single negative thing—no attitude, no ego. He had a completely clean heart.”
‘Sunny sir is carrying the legacy forward’
Siddiqui also expressed admiration for Sunny Deol, calling him a reflection of his father’s legacy.“I feel very happy seeing Sunny sir’s journey—Gadar and everything he’s doing now. He is carrying forward that legacy beautifully. When I see him, I feel like I’m seeing Dharam sir in him.Their family is very emotional, very real. Sometimes emotional decisions can cost you practically—but that’s also what makes them so pure-hearted. That’s their legacy.”
From ‘dead body role’ to dreams of working with Sunny Deol
Sharing a lighter moment, Siddiqui recalled an early audition that perfectly captured his determination.“When I was new in the industry, I got a call for a role in Chup. I asked what the role was, and they said, ‘No audition needed, just send your photo.’ Then they told me—it’s the role of a dead body!But they also said it’s with Sunny sir. The moment I heard that, I said, ‘Done! I’ll play a dead body, no problem—but just make sure it’s with Sunny sir.’”
‘I just hope I make him proud’
For Siddiqui, the journey now carries a deeper emotional responsibility.“It was a kind of loss I can compare only to losing my father during Covid. It didn’t feel any less than that.But his memories and blessings remain. I just pray that wherever he is, I make him proud. That is a responsibility I feel I must fulfil.”
