Actor Dharmendra is the inspiration behind the newly-opened Garam Dharam, Dhaba Te Theka restaurant. The actor, who was present for the inauguration, shares how he is a true desi at heart. By Rupinder Kaur
En route to a destination wherever, one will definitely need a quick refill of those butter-laden paranthas with a cutting chai or maybe some more butter-laden dal fry with those hot rotis from the tandoor at the highway dhabas. To vouch for those desi dishes' delectableness, veteran actor Dharmendra, was in the city to inaugurate Garam Dharam, Dhaba Te Theka restaurant in Connaught Place.
Under the huge portrait of a young and suave Dharmendra, is the famous bike with a side-car used in the Yeh Dosti song for Sholay. Many pictures were clicked and, of course, posted online with numerous hashtags.
There are quirky dialogues from his films all over the place, even on table coasters.
“I was not ready to do this since I don't know the abc of this business,” the ‘He-man’ of Bollywood tells us while adding, “Except acting I know nothing. But yes I can do farming. Both Mickey and Umang (founders) managed to convince me. Then we started to think about a name and Garam Dharam has been popular for a long time.”
The 79-year-old actor also provided many inputs for the food and interiors.
The Phool Aur Patthar star is sure that the restaurant will be a hit. “After all the love and support I have received from his fans over the years, I’m sure people will love the place,” he says as the cameras click away and fans wait outside to catch a glimpse of the star.
Dharmendra shares that he is not a fan of fancy dining with cutlery and all other formalities. “I remember when I went for the Filmfare contest, I stayed at a five-star hotel for the first time. There I saw someone eat a mango with a spoon and was quite surprised. later I asked them to send some mangoes to my room and then ate them while standing at the wash
basin in the bathroom. I can’t enjoy food till I use my hands, but yahan sab allowed hai,” he says.