FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 169 | INDORE | TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 25, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports INTERNATIONAL DAY NA DA FO THE ELIMINATION OR NA N OF VIOLENCE VI E AGAINST WOMEN NS WO N Priyanka fires Indore back on world map P.13 8 DECEMBER 1935 – 24 NOVEMBER 2025 Rahen na rahen hum mehka karenge…. ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY Monetary measures to bolster pvt investment, economic resilience UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit The Chandigarh conundrum DHARMENDRA The Eternal He-Man 8 DECEMBER 1935 – 24 NOVEMBER 2025 Protest over rape sparks 14-km jam 18-HOUR ORDEAL UK resident from Arunachal alleges China detained her INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DHARMENDRA Anupama (1966) He once said his biggest dream was to work with Dilip Kumar — his childhood idol. 1 2 3 Before acting, he worked as a clerk at an oil company in Punjab. Dharmendra’s photograph once won the title of “Most Handsome Man in the World” from a UK magazine in the 1960s. Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) He was offered Hollywood roles but refused because he didn’t want to leave Indian cinema. 4 5 6 7 8 He produced films like Ghayal and Ghatak, which made his son Sunny Deol a superstar. Dharmendra loved writing poetry and often shared his verses on social media. Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) Avoided controversy and believed in forgiveness and friendship. D harmendra, the name itself brings a smile to generations of movie lovers. Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab, he rose from a smalltown boy to one of the greatest stars Hindi cinema has ever seen. With his tall frame, dashing looks, and humble attitude, Dharmendra became the true “He-Man” of Bollywood — a symbol of strength and sincerity. He ruled the silver screen for more than six decades, acting in over 300 films. From romantic dramas in the 1960s to action-packed blockbusters in the 1970s and family entertainers in the 1980s, Dharmendra did it all. He was the man who could make audiences cry with emotion or cheer with excitement. But behind the stardom, there was a man who loved poetry, family, and his fans deeply. His life is a story of passion, simplicity, and grace — a journey that continues to inspire. Personal life and family Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 and has four children with her — actors Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta and Ajeeta. During his film career, he met and fell in love with actress Hema Malini, his co-star in many successful films. They married in 1980 and have two daughters — Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The Deol family is one of Bollywood’s most respected film dynasties. Despite the ups and downs in his personal life, Dharmendra always remained a devoted father and husband. He supported all his children in their film journeys and continues to appear in family productions even today. Chupke Chupke (1975) Even in his late 80s, he maintained his charm and sharp sense of humour. 9 10 Called himself a “simple farmer at heart who accidentally became an actor.” FAMOUS DIALOGUES Sholay (1975) “Basanti, in kutto ke samne mat nachna.” Dharmendra was born in a humble Sikh family in Nasrali, near Ludhiana, Punjab. His father was a schoolteacher, and life was simple but disciplined. From a young age, Dharmendra was fond of movies, often watching them at local theatres. In 1958, he took a big step — he entered the Filmfare talent contest held in Bombay. Out of thousands of participants, Dharmendra was chosen as one of the winners. That contest changed his life forever. He shifted to Bombay with dreams and determination. After many auditions and struggles, he got his first break in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960). Though it didn’t do well, his screen presence impressed many filmmakers, marking the start of a legendary journey. harmendra’s popularity went beyond the screen. He was loved by co-stars and technicians alike. He shared a brotherly bond with actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, and Shatrughan Sinha. Filmmakers admired his professionalism — he was always on time and treated everyone with respect. His chemistry with actresses like Hema Malini, Meena Kumari, and Asha Parekh made him a favourite of directors. People called him “Garam Dharam” — a nickname that showed his fiery energy and kind spirit. Unlike many stars, he never let fame change him. Even today, younger actors like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar call him their inspiration. n 2004, Dharmendra entered politics as a candidate of the BJP. He contested and won the Lok Sabha seat from Bikaner, Rajasthan. His victory showed how loved he was, even outside cinema. Though he served only one term (2004– 2009), his simplicity and honesty won him praise. He later said that politics was a different world and that he missed the creative environment of films. After completing his term, he stepped away from active politics but continued to be a public figure known for his patriotism and affection for people. I Rise to stardom The mid-60s saw Dharmendra transform into a superstar. With Phool Aur Patthar (1966), his strong personality and emotional depth won millions of hearts. Audiences loved how he balanced toughness with tenderness. Then came Anupama, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, and Mera Gaon Mera Desh — all proving his unmatched versatility. His most iconic role arrived in Sholay (1975), where he played Veeru, the fun-loving yet brave dacoit. His friendship with Amitabh Bachchan’s Jai remains one of cinema’s greatest pairings. The film made Dharmendra a national icon. Dream Girl (1977) “Tere ghar mein calendar hai ... 1997 gaur se dekh le, kyun ki 1998 tu dekh nahin payega.” Political career D Dharmendra earned the title “He-Man of Bollywood” because he brought real power and presence to the screen. In an age before gyms and sixpacks, he maintained a naturally strong, athletic physique. His action scenes were performed without body doubles, and his punches looked real. But what made him special was his balance — he wasn’t just a muscleman, he was also sensitive, respectful, and charming. Off-screen, he was gentle & kind, winning people with his warmth. His combination of toughness, tenderness made him ideal hero — strong enough to fight villains but soft enough to win hearts. His farmhouse near Lonavala is famous for mango trees and horses—he spends most of his time there. “Kutte, kamine! Main tera khoon pi jaoonga!” Early life and entry into cinema Popularity, industry friends and bonding Why ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood? ROAD BLOCKED | Protestors demand accused’s arrest; cops resort to lathicharge Phool Aur Patthar (1966) From Punjab’s small village to Bollywood’s grand stage, veteran actor Dharmendra lived a larger-than-life story of courage, charm & heart P.6 Cinema The Eternal He-Man P.12 List of his most popular films “Kafan odhne waale ghante nahin ... gadhiyan ginte hain.” The Burning Train (1980) “Begum, ishq ka mazaa hi chupke chupke se karne mein hai.” Apne (2007) “Mard ka khoon aur aurat ke aasoon jab tak na bahe ... unki keemat nahi lagayi ja sakti.” “Dharam naam hai mera, aur main sach ke liye jeeta hoon.” Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) Compiled by: Aman Jain / Design: Bhaskar Borkar / Pics: X/IMDb Justice Surya Kant sworn-in 53rd CJI Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Kabir Singh Bhandari MUMBAI Bollywood legend Dharmendra, who was to turn 90 early next month, passed away on Monday due to old age related ailments at his Mumbai residence. Earlier on October 31 too he had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital for a routine check-up, however, at that time, his wife, actor and politician Hema Malini, had assured the media that he was doing fine. Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, who came to be known popularly as Dharmendra later, was known as one of the most handsome film stars in In- dian cinema and was also nicknamed the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood due to his physique. Born in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana, he made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. which was directed by Arjun Hingorani and also starred Balraj Sahni and Kumkum. He began to gain fame towards the end of the 60s with films such as Phool Aur Patthar and Aaye Din Bahar Ke, and till the 80s starred in several successful films such as Ankhen, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Sholay, Charas, Dharam Veer and others. 4Continued on | P8 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS BEDROOM INTRUDER: In 1952, a young Dharmendra — then just a college boy from Ludhiana — arrived in Bombay with nothing more than awe for his idol Dilip Kumar. What happened next would have sent any other star-struck fan running for cover: Dharmendra simply walked into Dilip Kumar’s house, climbed the stairs and stood at the doorway of his bedroom, quietly admiring the sleeping star. When Dilip Kumar suddenly woke up and stared back at him, Dharmendra panicked and fled down the stairs, bolting out of the house like he had committed a crime. Only later, over a glass of cold lassi, did he realise the absurdity of his act. In Punjab, homes were always open — but this was Bombay, and he had barged into a superstar’s privacy. That mixture of innocence and daring stayed with Dharmendra all his life, making him unforgettable. DESTINY RETURNS: Six years after the infamous bedroom incident, fate brought Dharmendra back to Bombay — this time as a Filmfare talent contest winner ready to join films. During his first professional photo shoot, a young woman gently dabbed makeup on his face. Dharmendra didn’t know who she was until the editor whispered, “She’s Farida… Dilip Kumar’s sister.” The revelation shook him. He immediately chased her outside, begging for a meeting with the man he still considered his “brother.” The next evening, Dharmendra found himself at Dilip Kumar’s Pali Hill Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur home. Time froze when the give voice to Dharmendra star walked out to greet and Suchitra Sen in Mamta’s him warmly, offered him a less popular version of seat, and spoke to him like Rahen na rahen hum.. family — in Punjabi, Urdu and English. Before Dharmendra left, Dilip Kumar gave him a sweater because he looked cold. The hug that followed became one of Dharmendra’s most cherished memories — proof that destiny had forgiven the boy who once trespassed. FIFTY-ONE FIESTA: Dharmendra loved to recall the day he earned his very first payment in films — a princely sum of ₹51 for Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. The amount itself was born out of pure jugaad: the three producers literally emptied their pockets, contributing ₹17 each, until they scraped together the grand total. But to young Dharmendra, that ₹51 felt like a jackpot. He marched straight to his friends and declared an impromptu celebration. Drinks on him — all ₹51 worth of stardom. His buddies cheered, while he, in classic Dharam style, held his glass delicately with a handkerchief so he wouldn’t leave fingerprints — the star in him already peeking through. RETAKE ROMANCE: On the sets of Sholay, Dharmendra’s mischievous streak produced one of Bollywood’s most-loved stories. While filming romantic scenes with Hema Malini, he developed such a soft corner for her that he devised a delightfully naughty plan. He would quietly slip ₹20 notes to light boys and cameramen, urging them to “accidentally” spoil the shot. A shaky focus here, a misplaced shadow there — anything that forced another retake. And then another. And another. The crew played along, delighted by “Dharam Paaji’s” schoolboy romance. These staged mistakes not only added to Sholay’s legendary folklore but also kept the entire set in splits. It wasn’t just the hero on screen—Dharmendra off screen was equally entertaining, endearing and utterly impossible to dislike. ISABGOL MEAL: Long before fame, glamour and star vans, Dharmendra experienced the classic struggler’s hunger. One day, he returned to his room completely broke, exhausted and starving. On the table lay a packet of Isabgol — psyllium husk — belonging to his roommate. Mistaking it for something that could calm his hunger, Dharmendra ate the entire packet. By morning, he was in severe discomfort and had to be taken to a doctor. After listening to the bizarre explanation, the doctor reportedly sighed, laughed and declared, “He doesn’t need medicine — he needs real food!”The incident became a favourite among Dharmendra’s friends, a reminder that the “He-Man of Bollywood” had once been a naïve, struggling youth who didn’t even have money for a meal. Residents staged a road blockade in Mandideep, Raisen district, demanding arrest of rape accused Salman Khan on Monday. Police used light cane charge to disperse protesters after a standoff. The accused allegedly raped a six-year-old girl in Goharganj on November 21. Markets remained closed for the third consecutive day as the roadblock, which began at 12 noon, caused a 14-km traffic jam towards Bhopal and a 7-km jam towards Obaidullaganj, leaving thousands of vehicles stranded for several hours. Since Friday, people from Goharganj, Mandideep and surrounding areas have been protesting for the accused's arrest. Organisations like Karni Sena, VHP, Bajrang Dal and others joined the demonstration. Vidhi Santosh Mehta MUMBAI An Indian-origin UK resident from Arunachal Pradesh has alleged that she was detained and harassed for more than 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport after Chinese immigration authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport during a transit stop. Pem Wang Thongdok, who shared her ordeal on X, said she was travelling from London to Japan on November 21 with a scheduled three-hour layover in Shanghai. She alleged that Chinese immigration officials detained her for over 18 hours after declaring her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. According to her, the officials insisted that “Arunachal Pradesh is part of China” and repeatedly refused to acknowledge her Indian nationality. She said several officers and staff of China Eastern Airlines mocked her, laughed at her, and even suggested she “apply for a Chinese passport”. 4Continued on | P8 The rape case On November 21 in Goharganj, the six-year-old girl was lured with chocolate and kidnapped. She was taken to a nearby jungle where Salman Khan allegedly raped her. After the attack, he fled. Police announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for his arrest 4Continued on | P8 SIMs misuse: DoT will hold mobile users liable PTI NEW DELHI Mobile subscribers may face legal action if a SIM card taken in their name is found to be used for cyber fraud or other illegal activities, the Department of Telecom (DoT) said on Monday. In an official statement, the DoT said the original user “may also be held liable as an offender in cases where SIM cards procured in their name are subsequently misused.” The department advised citizens to be cautious and warned against using mobile devices with tampered IMEI numbers. It also cautioned people not to buy or use procured or assembled devices such as modems, modules and SIM boxes that have configurable or tampered IMEIs. The DoT said people should avoid procuring SIM cards through fake docu- REPRESENTATIONAL PIC SC to hear Hindu party plea on Dec 1 FP News Service Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh have issued a dramatic call for a unilateral ceasefire until February 15, 2026, signalling internal turmoil following the killing of top commander Hidma and the loss of several senior leaders. The appeal, addressed to the Chief Ministers Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Verma was jailed for submitting fake papers The SC on Monday said it would hear on December 1 a plea of a Hindu party in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah mosque dispute challenging an Allahabad High Court order treating another party in another suit as a representative of all devotees of Lord Krishna. The comments of IAS officer Santosh Verma on the Brahmin girls have whipped up a wrangle across the state. Verma has been recently reinstated after suspension. Verma was elected regional president of the Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJAKS). Afterwards, he made objectionable comments on the Brahmin girls in his speech at the conference of AJAKS. ‘‘Jab tak mere bete ko koi IAS officer Santosh Verma, who was holding the post of deputy secretary in the agriculture department, was in jail in 2021. The government suspended Verma after a case was registered against him. Verma was accused of forging an order of the special judge. He was also charged with getting a promotion through fake documents. A woman made a complaint against him. After relief from the court, he has been recently reinstated and posted. KRISHNA JANMABHOOMI A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe said it would take up the plea on December 1 as the issue requires a detailed hearing. In July, the Allahabad High Court allowed another Hindu party, which has filed a separate suit seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque from the disputed site in Mathura, to be treated as the representative of all devotees. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 blunt: surrender or face the full force of security operations. Echoing this stance, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Monday criticised those who raised slogans in support of Hidma in New Delhi. He demanded answers for the Jhirum Valley massacre, the killing of 76 policemen, and 4Continued on | P8 Brahman apni beti daan nahin deta ya samvandh nahin bana le tab tak arakshan jari rahega (until a Brahmin hands over their daughters to his sons in marriage or makes relationships with him, the reservation will continue,’’ he said.” 4Continued on | P8 Smriti pulls wedding posts as father, fiance hospitalised Our Staff Reporter INDORE Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana has postponed her much-anticipated wedding after a sudden health emergency involving her father and her fiance. According to a report, Mandhana removed all her marriage-related posts from Instagram after the hospitalisation. The wedding had been scheduled for November 23 in Sangli, Maharashtra, and the ceremony was set to be an intimate affair with close family and friends. On the morning of the ceremony, Mandhana’s father, Shrinivas Mandhana, reportedly fell ill while having breakfast. His condition worsened quickly, prompting an ambulance and admission to hospital. Her manager confirmed that she decided to postpone the wedding indefinitely until her father recovers. 4Continued on | P8 A major aviation mishap was narrowly avoided at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday when an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight from Kabul mistakenly landed on the wrong runway — one that was simulta- neously being used for another aircraft’s take-off. A senior DGCA official confirmed that a full investigation is under way. Flight FG-311, an A310 aircraft, had been cleared to land on runway 29L. However, the pilots brought it down on runway 29R instead. According to the pilot- in-command (PIC), the aircraft lost its Instrument Landing System (ILS) signal at around 4 nautical miles from touchdown. Without ‘Tejas jet crash is an isolated occurrence’ Agencies NEW DELHI India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday said the crash of a Tejas fighter jet in Dubai last week was an isolated incident caused by “exceptional circumstances”, without sharing further details. The statement comes days after a Tejas aircraft went down in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot in front of shocked spectators. The Indian Air Force has announced that a court of inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident. HAL, which manufactures the home-built jet powered by General Electric engines, said it will fully support the investigation. GE has also said it will cooperate. 4Continued on | P8 Close shave after Afghan jet’s runway blunder FP News Service 4Continued on | P8 IAS officer’s comments on Brahmin girls whip up wrangle offgrid MUMBAI Court judges, and Chief Justices and judges from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Brazil, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the event, Live Law and Bar & Bench report. Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village in Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Surya Kant studied law at Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, graduating in 1984. He began his legal practice the same year at the District Courts in Hisar and moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985, where he specialised in Constitutional, Service and Civil matters. On July 7, 2000, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana and was designated a Senior Advocate. Agencies ments, fraud or impersonation, and must not transfer or hand over SIM cards issued in their name to others, as they could be misused for cyber fraud. “Citizens should be aware that using devices with tampered IMEI numbers, procuring SIM cards through fraudulent means, or transferring or giving their SIM cards to others who misuse them for cyber fraud can result in serious legal consequences,” the statement said. of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, comes just days ahead of the Union government’s target of eliminating left-wing extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier made it unequivocally clear during a visit to Chhattisgarh that the Centre would not entertain any talks with Maoists. His message was Justice Surya Kant on Monday took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office, which Justice Kant took in Hindi. With this, he begins a tenure that will run until Feb 9, 2027, giving him a relatively long period of over 14 months as the head of the judiciary. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, former Chief Justice BR Gavai, and former President Ram Nath Kovind. Several Union ministers, including Hardeep Singh Puri, HD Kumaraswamy, Piyush Goyal and JP Nadda, were also present. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, other Supreme Will have a 14 month tenure, till February 9, 2027 NEW DELHI Maoists push Feb 15 truce MUMBAI FP News Service NEW DELHI lateral guidance and facing poor visibility, the aircraft veered right and the captain executed a visual landing on 29R. The ILS, a crucial precision-guidance system used for landings in poor weather or low visibility, reportedly malfunctioned at a critical phase. The PIC stated that both onboard ILS systems failed after the Final Approach Fix, leaving the crew without reliable alignment support. He also told investigators that the Delhi tower did not alert the cockpit about the deviation during approach. 4Continued on | P8