Today’s Presence, Tomorrow’s Absence
Reflecting on Dharmendra’s cinematic legacy and the philosophical depth captured in the iconic song “Naam Ghoom Jayega”
Mumbai, Nov 30 : In the 1977 film Kinara, directed by Gulzar, Dharmendra plays an archaeology professor whose life is tragically cut short in a car accident. Yet, it is in a song from the film “Naam Ghoom Jayega / Chehera Yeh Badal Jayega”that his presence lingers, interwoven with Hema Malini’s soulful performance and the melancholic strains of R.D. Burman’s music.
The lyrics, penned by Gulzar, evoke the transient nature of existence: “Our names will be lost in the oblivion of time; our appearances will change; only the sound of my voice will remain as my identity; it is this that you will remember.” Sung by Hema Malini, with Bhupinder Singh as the male voice lip-synched by Jeetendra, the song captures a sense of ephemeral beauty, a paradox that Dharmendra’s brief appearance amplifies.
Sharmila Tagore reflected on her collaboration with him in multiple films, recalling his natural charm: “He was never ‘The Star’ on the sets, always his natural self. There was nothing put-on about him.” This effortless authenticity, combined with the existential undertones of Kinara, left an indelible impression that goes beyond his more popular comedic or action-packed roles, such as in Chupke Chupke.
Dharmendra’s charisma, often described as legendary, was noted even off-screen. Sharmila’s sister Mandira, an FTII alumna, recalled, “He was extremely handsome and in an unassuming kind of way… casually dressed, yet impressive.”
The song’s refrain—“Aaj hain yahan / Kaal kahin nahin”—beautifully encapsulates life’s fleeting nature: here today, gone tomorrow. Its resonance extends beyond cinema, mirroring the duality of human experience, where profound moments coexist with ordinary life.
The theme of transience is echoed in contemporary cinema as well. The Bengali film Haati Haati Pa Pa, directed by Arnab Kumar Middya, explores the emotional struggle of a daughter torn between caring for her father and pursuing her own life. Much like Kinara, it blends humor with pathos, presenting the impermanence of life alongside its tender, everyday realities.
Through his screen presence, Dharmendra embodied this philosophy of ephemerality, leaving audiences with memories that linger, much like the haunting, immortal strains of “Naam Ghoom Jayega”.
