Dharmendra Didn't Trust The 'Industry' Once Bought A Fiat As 'Backup Plan', 'Turn It Into Taxi..'

Dharmendra entered the industry and won everyone over with his muscular physique, rugged looks, and deep voice. From a young actor in the industry to a veteran, we have loved the actor at every stage of his life and possibly can't picture him any other way. However, did you know that the small-town boy never imagined he would be the most beloved star even six decades later; instead, he bought his first car as a 'backup plan' in case his career in the industry ever failed.

Dharmendra bought his first car as a backup career plan

Dharmendra, born Dharmendra Kewal Krishna Deol in Nasrali, Ludhiana, was just a village boy when he first saw the 1948 film Shaheed and decided he wanted to be like the star, Dilip Kumar. The young kid, who struggled with his studies, felt a unique connection to cinema and, at just 13, knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. And thus started the actor's journey with the manifestation before the mirror, 

"Mai Dilip Kumar banna chahta hu."

During an old interaction with India TV, the actor revealed that when he saw Dilip Kumar and other actors, he would often think to himself, "Where are these beauties from? I should be among them. I belong there." And slowly but steadily, he made sure that he found his well-deserved place. However, did you know that despite being a dreamer, Dharmendra still had a backup plan in case his acting career failed?

Yes! The 'He-Man' of Bollywood bought his first car with the plan that if he ever ran out of work in the industry, he would become a taxi driver. Fortunately, Dharmendra never had to use that option, as the love the audience gave him kept him right among the stars. During the conversation, he was quoted as saying:

"When I started to do a little better in the industry and was paid well, I bought my first car, a Fiat. However, my brother Ajit didn't approve of my choice. He said, 'Paaji, you could have bought a better-looking car, with an open roof, after all, you are a hero.' I said, 'We can't trust this industry. Tomorrow I might not get to work. If things go south, I will at least have this Fiat, which I can turn into a taxi and earn a living.'"

More about Dharmendra's career

Dharmendra starred in several box-office hits, including Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Mamta (1966), Anupama (1966), and Aaye Din Baahar Ke (1966). However, in 1967, he featured in critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful films such as Dulhan Ek Raat Ki opposite Nutan, Majhli Didi, and Chandan Ka Palna. Nonetheless, destiny flipped for the actor again in 1968, and Dharmendra delivered more successful films, including Shikhar, Akhen, Izzat, and Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, cementing his place as one of the brightest stars in Bollywood.

Dharmendra was so popular that even Rajesh Khanna's emergence as a superstar in 1969 couldn't slow him down. In fact, only he and Manoj Kumar could survive the wave Rajesh Khanna had brought with him. And even today, after six decades in the industry, Dharmendra continues to act in films. He was recently seen in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and Shahid Kapoor's Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.

What are your thoughts on Dharmendra once buying a Fiat as a backup plan?

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