Dharmendra's Touching Gesture: The "Blessing" Behind Kapil Sharma's Meteoric Rise

The sudden passing of Bollywood's enduring icon Dharmendra at the age of 89 has plunged the Indian film industry and his legions of admirers into profound mourning, with heartfelt tributes pouring in from across the nation. Yet, amid the sorrow, resurfaced interviews reveal a touching chapter from his later years when he selflessly became the inaugural guest on Kapil Sharma's nascent comedy venture, a gesture that comedian Kapil has repeatedly credited with blessing his career's meteoric ascent.

Long before Comedy Nights with Kapil evolved into a cultural juggernaut drawing millions of viewers weekly, its premiere episode on June 22, 2013, featured none other than the veteran actor Dharmendra, who appeared not out of obligation but to promote his family entertainer Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, at a time when the show was still navigating the uncertainties of production and lacked the star power to command A-list commitments.

In multiple interviews over the years, Kapil Sharma has openly expressed his deep-seated gratitude towards Dharmendra for this pivotal act of faith, recounting how the legend arrived without fanfare despite his film's successful run already underway, requiring no promotional boost from an untested programme; Kapil poignantly stated, "Dharmendra ji graced us when the show was mere embryonic stages—his stature alone could have commanded any platform, yet he chose ours, a decision that infused our fledgling endeavour with unparalleled legitimacy and momentum."

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan’s Emotional Revelation: Dharmendra Chose Him for Sholay

This profound favour, Kapil emphasised, became the bedrock of the show's enduring popularity, attributing its widespread acclaim and longevity to the auspicious blessings of the episode's pioneering visitor; over the subsequent decade, Dharmendra's sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol would follow in his footsteps, enlivening episodes of The Kapil Sharma Show and its Netflix iteration The Great Indian Kapil Show with their familial warmth and anecdotes.

Following the heartbreaking news of Dharmendra's demise on November 24, 2025, after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments that saw him hospitalised earlier in the month, Kapil penned an emotional farewell on social media, likening the loss to "losing a father for the second time" and vowing that the veteran's boundless affection and paternal guidance would forever reside in his heart; as the industry prepares for a prayer meet later this week, Dharmendra's legacy—as both silver-screen colossus and quiet mentor—continues to inspire, reminding all of the quiet generosities that forge indelible bonds beyond the spotlight.

Also Read: SRK's Heartbreaking Farewell to Dharmendra: "You Are Immortal"