Rakesh Bedi is enjoying a renewed wave of popularity following the big reveal surrounding his beloved character Jameel Jamali in ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’. After winning widespread appreciation for his performance in Aditya Dhar’s directorial, led by Ranveer Singh, the veteran actor has now been lauded by filmmaker and longtime collaborator David Dhawan, who also happens to be his batchmate from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).David Dhawan expressed that the recognition Bedi is receiving now is long overdue, even if it has come decades later. He also revealed that the actor will feature in his upcoming film ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ which stars Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur. The ‘Hero No 1’ director has reacted to the appreciation that his buddy Rakesh Bedi is getting. “Our friendship is 50 years old. He has worked in a lot of films of mine. He is in this one (Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai) too. I told him, ‘Fifty years ago they didn’t recognise you, they are discovering you just now’. He is a fine actor, he was always a good actor. I said, ‘You are crossing 70 years and you are getting recognition. But it’s very good. He deserved it fully,” David Dhawan told Bollywood Hungama.When asked whether success has changed Rakesh Bedi, Dhawan hinted at a noticeable shift in his demeanor, though in an affectionate tone. “You can see the spark and the way he now comes walking. ‘Yaar teri chaal change ho gayi, hamari baat hoti rehti hai (The way you walk has changed, we are in touch).’ He is my classmate, we were even ragged together at FTII. It’s amazing.”Over the years, David Dhawan and Rakesh Bedi have worked together on several popular films, including Hero No. 1, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, and the remake of Coolie No. 1.
