When Dharmendra shared he drank 12 bottles of beer on the set of ‘Sholay’, ‘Love killed me, alcohol killed me’

Dharmendra’s journey in Indian cinema remains one of the most inspiring chapters in Bollywood history. From his early rise as a romantic hero to becoming the beloved “He-Man” of Hindi films, he built a career admired by millions. But behind the fame, he also carried battles that shaped him as a person — one of the most significant being his long and complicated relationship with alcohol.

The moment he regretted the most

In an old Aap Ki Adalat interview, Dharmendra shared a painful memory from his younger days. Under the influence, he had behaved in ways that still troubled him. He admitted that anger and intoxication once clouded his judgment so badly that he grabbed his father by the collar. Reflecting on that day, he said, “I was young and foolish… but life has a way of humbling you. I learnt my lessons the hard way.”

The day he drank 12 bottles on the sets of 'Sholay'

Another well-known incident came from the sets of Sholay, where his drinking was at its peak. He recalled how, during a long shoot, he drank far more than anyone expected. According to him, the cameraman carried several bottles of beer to get through the day, and Dharmendra secretly sipped from that stock. “When the production staff told me that I had consumed 12 bottles, I was shocked,” he remembered.

When questioned about his habits, he responded in his signature poetic style, “Love killed me, alcohol killed me, and I won’t find anyone else who can match you.”

He added, “If there were no alcohol, there would be no love — life would be a different life.”

See More: Dharmendra passes away: Prayer meet likely to be held this week, location yet to be finalised

Remembering the man beyond the struggles

Dharmendra passed away on Monday at the age of 89 at his Juhu residence. He last appeared in multiple films, including Karan Johar’s 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani' and 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya'. Fans will see him one final time on the big screen in the upcoming film 'Ikkis'.



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