Bollywood legend Dharmendra will be honoured by the 56th International Film Festival of India at its closing ceremony later this week, festival officials confirmed. The 89-year-old veteran actor died at his suburban Mumbai residence on Monday morning.
"We received the sad news of Dharam ji's demise on Monday. A minute's silence was observed at the closing ceremony of the Film Bazaar as a mark of respect," Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of the NFDC, told PTI.
“We will also be paying homage to the beloved legend during the closing ceremony of the festival,” added Magdum.
Also Read | Sholay re-releases on big screen: Fans to witness uncut original ending after 50 years
Sholay 4K screening cancelled
A 4K restored screening of Dharmendra's iconic film "Sholay" that was scheduled at IFFI on November 26 has been cancelled due to technical reasons, the organisers said.
Special session on Sholay
The festival will host a session titled ‘50 Years of Sholay: Why "Sholay" Still Resonates?' on November 27, featuring the movie's director, Ramesh Sippy.
The motorcycle from Sholay has been displayed in a glass enclosure at the INOX theatre here in Panaji since the inaugural day of the festival. The bike was introduced as a special attraction on the opening day to mark 50 years of the Amitabh Bachchan-Dharmendra classic, but it has acquired a deeper meaning now.
Also Read | Big B's emotional post on social media moves netizens, here's what he said
"The motorcycle displayed at the festival premises had been a special introduction this year to mark a celebration for 50 years of 'Sholay'. But it has now also become a tribute to Dharmendra ji as well, since visitors cannot help but reminisce about the classic song 'Yeh Dosti' and the unforgettable presence that comes with it," said Magdum.
The display showcases the iconic Jai-Veeru duo, with Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan riding the bike with a sidecar while performing the hit song ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge’, which has been etched in Bollywood history.
