Veteran actor Dharmendra’s mother famously walked out of his 1983 film ‘Qayamat’ after a controversial dialogue deeply upset her.
Bollywood’s Challenging Era for Dharmendra
The 1980s proved to be a difficult period for Hindi cinema, and even popular stars like Dharmendra faced career hurdles. After a successful run in the 1970s, he struggled to find major hits.
During this time, Dharmendra took on many roles in what were often termed ‘B-films’ or simply forgettable movies. It was amidst this phase that ‘Qayamat’ was released, leading to an unexpected reaction from his own mother.
The Controversial Dialogue That Shocked His Mother
According to director Raj N. Sippy, recalling the incident in the book ‘Dharmendra Not Just a He-man’ by Rajiv Vijayakar, one particular scene in ‘Qayamat’ deeply offended Dharmendra’s mother.
The film featured Dharmendra’s character delivering a line to Shatrughan Sinha’s character: “Rape kya cheez hai main tumhein sikhaunga (I will teach you what rape is).” This dialogue was reportedly said with such fury that it appalled his mother.
She was so shocked by her son saying such lines on screen that she decided she couldn’t continue watching the film, walking out during the interval.
A Son’s Plea and Promise
Dharmendra, witnessing his mother’s distress, tried to pacify her. He explained that the dialogue was part of the script and urged her to judge the film only after its completion.
In a memorable moment, he reportedly told her that if she was still dissatisfied or felt offended at the end of the film, she could slap him. This plea highlighted his understanding of her traditional sensibilities versus the demands of his acting profession.
‘Qayamat’ and Beyond
‘Qayamat’ featured a star-studded cast including Shatrughan Sinha, Smita Patil, Poonam Dhillon, Jaya Prada, Shakti Kapoor, and Bindu. Though the film itself might be largely forgotten, this incident remains a notable part of Dharmendra’s career.
Interestingly, the same year, Dharmendra’s son, Sunny Deol, made his highly successful debut with ‘Betaab.’ That film became one of the biggest hits of 1983, launching Sunny into stardom.
- Dharmendra faced a career slump in the 1980s, working in many less-successful films.
- His mother walked out of the 1983 film ‘Qayamat’ due to a disturbing dialogue delivered by his character.
- Dharmendra reportedly told his mother she could slap him after the film if she remained offended.
- The incident highlights the clash between traditional values and cinematic portrayal.
Dharmendra continues to grace the screen, most recently seen in Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.’ He is next slated to appear in ‘Ikkis.’
