Dharmendra's smile is recorded on the waves of Topchanchi Lake, breath is mixed in the air

Dhanbad/Sanjay Gupta. Dharmendra, a veteran actor of the Hindi film industry and known as He-Man, is no longer among us. His fans across the country are emotional even after many days have passed since his death. In Dhanbad, this sorrow has reached not only the eyes but also the hearts of the people. The people of Jharkhand’s Koylanchal Dhanbad are also in mourning, because Dharmendra had an old and emotional relationship with this area. The film ‘Mohabbat Zindagi Hai’, made in 1966, was shot at Topchanchi Lake in Dhanbad, where Dharmendra stayed for several weeks. The memories of his arrival are still a source of pride and emotion for the local people. Even though he had not become a superstar at that time, his simplicity, smile and way of getting along with people gave him a forever place in the hearts of the people of Koyalanchal.

Topchanchi Lake…where Dharmendra spent memorable days

When the shooting of the film ‘Mohabbat Zindagi Hai’ was being done in Dhanbad, Dharmendra was not that famous a star at that time. This was a big reason why he mixed with the people here like a friend. He stayed in the famous lake guest house ’52 Kothi 53 Dwar’ located near the lake. Local people say that after the shooting, he would often go to the villages on foot, spend time with children and talk to the villagers.

People of Dhanbad are emotional on the demise of Dharmendra, memories related to Topchanchi Lake and their simple relationship are still alive in their hearts.

Dharmendra alias Dharam Ji, Dharam Pa is alive in people’s memories.

Kishun Rai, who works at Topchanchi Lake, recalls – We were small and people used to flock to see him. He was a cheerful and connecting person. Food was cooked for them at the lake house and we have also served them food many times. At the same time, Dwarika Prasad Mahato, who runs a tea shop, says – My uncle Jaglal Mahato had done a scene in the film. Dharmendra was a grassroots artist, a big star but his heart was very simple.

Dharmendra was staying in the famous lake guest house ’52 Kothi 53 Dwar’ located near Topchanchi Lake.

Feeling of sorrow and pride among the local people of Dhanbad

Mohd., resident of Topchanchi. Naushad Ansari says emotionally – I was 14 years old when he put his hand on my head. While leaving, he had developed an emotional bond with this lake. His demise brought sorrow. Gaurishankar Pandey, the gateman of Topchanchi Lake, says – I had heard from our elders that he had come here. When we got the news of his death, it felt as if a page of history had closed.

Dwarika Prasad Mahato, who runs a tea shop, gets lost in Dharmendra’s memories by remembering his uncle Jaglal Mahato.

Films gave identity, memories made a place in hearts

Let us tell you that in his career, Dharmendra gave superhit films like Sholay, Sita Aur Geeta, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Dharam-Veer, Chupke-Chupke. But, for the people of Topchanchi, he was not just a big screen hero, but a person who smiled, roamed and talked. Dharmendra’s demise is being considered as the end of an era for his fans. People in Dhanbad paid tribute to him and said – He did not just give films, he gave memories. Dharmendra is no longer in this world, but his smile is recorded in the memories of every wave of water, shade of every tree and every elderly face of Topchanchi Lake.

Mohd., resident of Topchanchi. Noshad Ansari gets emotional remembering Dharmendra.

Dharmendra’s memories are still alive in Topchanchi Lake

His demise is not just a loss to Bollywood, but the pain of thousands of hearts who had felt him not just on screen but also among themselves. Today, when Dharmendra is no more in this world, not only Bollywood has lost its man, but Topchanchi Lake has lost its guest, villages have lost their companion and people have lost a part of their memories which has never faded even with time. Dharmendra may have left this world, but his smile, simplicity and memories of that period will always remain in the air of Koyalanchal – as if even today he is talking to the people sitting here in the streets of a village.