Amitabh Bachchan recalls Dharmendra’s “open-door” hospitality on KBC 18: “He had such a massive heart

Amitabh Bachchan recently talked about a nice memory of his late friend and long-time acting partner, Dharmendra, while hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.He remembered how Dharmendra was very kind and down-to-earth, and how his home was always open to people, including those who traveled from his village in Punjab.

According to Bachchan, Dharmendra's hospitality was so open that people would often just walk into his house and feel at home.

This story gave a peek into Dharmendra's character, especially his connection to his roots and his way of welcoming others with love.

He shared a story about one such time: "Let me tell you another thing about his house.

Their home was a 'free for all'—whenever someone came, it was like it was their own house!I remember one day Dharam ji came home and saw 4-5 men walking up the stairs.So he asked them, 'Who are you?What are you doing here?' They said they had come from the village."

Bachchan explained that Dharmendra thought his wife must have invited the visitors.

But he himself wasn't aware of how many people came and went through his house."Dharmendra assumed that his wife had probably invited them!He himself didn't even know how many people were coming and going in his house and always welcomed everybody with love and warmth.He had such a massive heart," Bachchan said.

Amitabh Bachchan remembered Dharmendra's simplicity.

After Dharmendra passed away, Bachchan wrote a heartfelt message remembering his friend not just for his acting but also for his simple and warm nature.

He called him "the epitome of greatness" and praised the "largeness of his heart" that was a big part of his personality.

Bachchan also remembered how Dharmendra stayed connected to his Punjabi roots even after spending many years in the Hindi film industry.

"He brought with him the earthiness of the village from Punjab he came from, and remained true to its temperament, unsoiled throughout his glorious career, in a fraternity that witnessed changes every decade.The fraternity underwent changes, not him," he wrote.

He also remembered Dharmendra's "smile," "charm," and "warmth," describing the way he shared this affection with everyone as "a rarity in the profession."

Bachchan ended the tribute with the words, "The air about us swings vacant, a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus."