"I love that man...": Salman Khan calls Dharmendra father figure, hopes for his swift recovery
Nov 14, 2025
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 14 : Salman Khan, who has always inspired millions with his fitness and on-screen presence, shared the name of the person who inspired him long before he became a superstar, and it's veteran actor Dharmendra.
During a recent media interaction ahead of his 'Da-Bangg Tour' in Qatar, Salman was asked about the source of his early fitness inspiration. The 'Sultan' star did not think twice before naming Dharmendra as his biggest role model.
In the video that is now going viral on social media, Salman can be seen saying, "
Dharmendra, 89, was recently discharged from Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital and is now recovering at home. Salman Khan was among the first from the film industry to visit him at the hospital, showing the strong bond the two share.
Meanwhile, the coverage of Dharmendra's health by a section of the media has sparked outrage in recent days.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sunny Deol lost his temper with photographers who were stationed outside his home following his father's hospital discharge. The visibly emotional actor told them, "Aap logon ko sharam aayni chaiyeh... Aapke ghar mein maa-baap hain, bacche hain....", he said, folding his hands in frustration.
Following this, filmmaker Karan Johar also shared a message on his Instagram Story, expressing how painful it was to watch what he called a "media circus" around the Deol family
He also added that it was heartbreaking to see the lack of basic "courtesy and sensitivity" during such an emotional time for the family.