Every time I came on screen, I broke my image: Dharmendra

Hindi cinema veteran Dharmendra says he never felt the trappings of any image and every time he took up a role, he gave the glimpse of a new actor in him to the audience.

The original He-Man of Bollywood, who has inspired the likes of Salman Khan to take up working out, interestingly started off his career playing the common man roles in the '60s in films - "Anpadh", "Bandini", "Anupama" and "Aaya Saawan Jhoom Ke", among others.

Then came the '70s where the masses saw his desi macho man side in "Sholay" and "Dharam Veer", among other enjoyable parts in films like "Guddi", "Chupke Chupke", "Mera Gaon Mera Desh".

Once voted among the seven most good-looking men in the world, Dharmendra says though he was aware people used to call him a "Greek god", he still does not know what the term really encompasses.

"I have always broken my image every time I went on screen. I don't believe I have an image.

"I don't know what it means to be a Greek god but people used to call me one. People have given me a lot of love but it never got high on it. The love has given me a strong foothold. And I try to maintain this love, I hope it never wears away," the veteran actor told PTI in an interview.

He later strengthened his action star avatar in the '80s with "Aag Hi Aag" and "Watan Ke Rakhwale", many more.

But Dharmendra calls his roles in "Satyakam", "Pratigya" and "Dillagi" (opposite wife Hema Malini) as some of his memorable ones.

The 82-year-old actor, who will be seen with sons, Sunny and Bobby, in "Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se", says he loves to do comedy films.

"I love to do comedy. God has blessed me with timing. It should be like clockwork. 'Pratigya' was one of my films. It was a revenge story but I played my part throughout using a lot of humour."
About the changing face of comedy in Bollywood, he says, "It's a variety of subjects actually. 'Chupke Chupke' was a different type of subject. So we do comedy accordingly. Also it's a team work - the actor, the writer, the director all together."
Asked if he advised the newcomer, he says, "They all come trained today. They know themselves a lot. Karan has all my blessings. I hope he surpasses our success."