What is Dharmendra doing in a KJo film?

'My character in Karan's film is a man everybody will love.'

Dharmendra works with Karan Johar for the first time in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

"Karan has offered me a fantastic role. It not only suits my age and image, it is also the kind of lovable character that my fans like to see me play," Dharmendra tells Subhash K Jha.

The actor reveals his audience doesn't like to see him in grey roles.

"I played grey just once in Aayee Milan Ki Bela. Mere chahne walon ko achcha nahin laga (my fans didn't like it). From then on, I have avoided negative roles. My character in Karan's film is a man everybody will love."

Dharamji is overjoyed to reunite with two of his favourite co-stars in Karan's film.

"I have worked with Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi before. I was the leading man in Jaya's first film Guddi. Then, we worked together in Samadhi and Sholay. In Sholay, I didn't have much scenes with her but during its shooting, I spent a lot of fun times with Amit and Jaya."

As for Shabana, Dharamji lights up.

"We did a film together called Mardon Wali Baat, directed by Brij Sadanah. We were supposed to do another film Bichchoo together. It was a lovely subject to be directed by Sai Paranjpye. Sadly, it never took off. Now look at destiny! We are going to work together in Karan's film."

So which of the two ladies is he paired with? Dharamji won't say.

You will have to wait for the film to know what exactly I play and the relationship I share with these two beautiful actresses. All I can say is, I've never played a character like this before."

The senior actor is also looking forward to working with the young cast in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

"Ranveer (Singh) is full of energy and so talented. Alia (Bhatt) bahot hi pyaari bachchi hai. It will be good to work with the stars of the new generation. Karan's entire team is fresh, enthusiastic and raring to go."

"I promise you it will be a film my well-wishers and fans will like. I have always been hungry for the love of the people. Luckily, I have always received an abundance of love. The more I received, the more I craved for it."

"To this day," he says, "I am that boy from the village in Punjab who came to Mumbai with stars in his eyes and a heart craving for love."