Dharmendra, one of the most beloved and admired actors in Indian cinema, shared a deep, emotional, and lifelong connection with the peaceful mountains of Himachal Pradesh. While the world knew him as the “He-Man of Bollywood,” the fearless action star, and the charming hero of countless films, very few knew how profoundly he adored nature, mountains, trees, rivers, and quiet spaces far away from the chaos of city life.
Among all the destinations he visited throughout his life, Himachal Pradesh—especially Manali, Rohtang, and the surrounding valleys—held a special corner in his heart. The bond was not created overnight; it grew over decades, through film shoots, personal holidays, and heartwarming friendships with local residents. For Dharmendra, Himachal was not merely a tourist destination—it was a sanctuary of peace, purity, and emotional fulfillment.
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Dharmendra’s 2021 Month-Long Manali Trip
In November 2021, when he was 85 years old, Dharmendra returned to Manali for what became one of the most memorable and talked-about trips of his life. This visit was not planned as a publicity event or a special appearance. Instead, he came quietly, simply longing for the calmness and beauty that only the mountains could offer. He stayed in the valley for nearly a month, exploring the snowy slopes, admiring the dense deodar forests, watching the rivers flow, and revisiting memories from his younger days when he had shot iconic films in the region.
Despite his age, the cold weather, and the challenges of travel, he moved around the mountains with surprising energy, enthusiasm, and emotion. Videos from this visit went viral online and touched millions of hearts across the country. People watched in awe as the legendary actor, wrapped in warm jackets and mufflers, walked gently through snowy trails with the innocence of a child rediscovering magic. His smile was soft, his eyes were full of wonder, and his words carried the weight of nostalgia and gratitude.
Sarsei Cottage
During the visit, Dharmendra stayed at a private cottage in Sarsei, a quiet and scenic location between Manali and Rohtang. This cottage had been rented long-term by his son, Sunny Deol, who had always cherished the peacefulness of the Himalayas. The family believed in spending time away from the limelight whenever possible, and this cottage became their perfect retreat. The area around Sarsei is famous for its pine forests, open meadows, panoramic views of snow-covered peaks, and an atmosphere that feels untouched by time.
For Dharmendra, the cottage was not just a comfortable place to stay—it was a space where he could breathe freely, think deeply, and feel close to nature. Every morning, he woke up to birdsong, crisp mountain winds, and the sun rising slowly behind the hills. Such moments filled him with a sense of serenity that he often said he could never find in Mumbai’s busy lifestyle.
The Viral Moment
“In Vadiyon Mein Kho Jaane Ka Mann Karta Hai”
One of the most emotional and widely shared memories from this trip was a video recorded by Sunny Deol. In it, Dharmendra stood on a mountainside above Manali, looking down at the beautiful town. The mountains stretched endlessly behind him, and the valley opened like a painting beneath his feet. With immense love and gratitude in his voice, Dharmendra said, “Mera beta Sunny mujhe Manali laya hai. In vadiyon mein kho jaane ka mann karta hai.”
These words symbolized the purity of his relationship with the mountains as well as his deep affection for his son. Viewers across the country were moved to see Dharmendra express such heartfelt emotions. For decades, he had been known for his toughness, bravery, and powerful screen presence, but here he appeared gentle, vulnerable, and profoundly grateful. This contrast made the moment unforgettable.
Love from the Locals “Aap Toh Jannat Mein Rehte Ho”
The locals of Manali still remember this visit fondly. Residents like Prem Chand recall how the actor greeted everyone with warmth and humility. Many people gathered near his cottage or in nearby markets just to catch a glimpse of him. Instead of ignoring them or keeping a distance, Dharmendra welcomed each person with open arms and a warm smile.
He spoke to them like a friend rather than a celebrity. At one point, he told the locals, “Tum log toh jannat mein rehte ho,” meaning “You people live in heaven.” These words touched the hearts of the residents, who felt proud that a legend of Indian cinema admired their homeland with such sincerity. They say that Dharmendra had no pride, no distance, no starry behavior—only affection, respect, and genuine appreciation.
Films Shot in Manali and Kullu
Dharmendra’s bond with Himachal did not begin in 2021. His connection with the mountains goes back several decades, especially during the golden era of Bollywood when many of his films were shot in Manali and its surrounding regions. Some of the movies he filmed in Himachal include “Izzat,” “Admi Aur Insaan,” “Jeene Nahi Doonga,” and “Tehelka.” The natural landscapes of Manali provided breathtaking backdrops for many dramatic scenes, romantic sequences, and action shots. In those days, filming in Himachal was far more challenging than it is today.
There were no tunnels, no modern roads, and no comfortable vehicles. Film crews had to travel for hours through dangerous, narrow roads to reach locations. Weather could change at any moment, turning a sunny morning into a snowy storm. Yet, Dharmendra always enjoyed the adventure and appreciated the hard work of the cast and crew who worked tirelessly in difficult conditions. He often said that shooting in natural environments brought out his most authentic emotions.
The Khullar Family Bond
Because of these film shoots, Dharmendra developed close friendships with several local families, including the Khullar family of Kullu. Hotelier Nakul Khullar and his late father, Anil Khullar, shared a warm relationship with the actor. Nakul recalls how Dharmendra would stay at their Badaghar Resort during shoots and spent hours talking, laughing, and sharing stories. He describes Dharmendra as a man full of life, humor, and kindness.
He also remembers how Dharmendra loved walking through the apple orchards of Kullu-Manali. The actor admired the freshness of the apples, the beauty of the orchards, and the hard work of the farmers. He treated everyone with respect, always using simple language and maintaining a humble demeanor despite being a superstar. Nakul says that Dharmendra’s passing was not just a loss for Indian cinema but a personal loss for all who knew him.
A Marvel That Moved Him
Another unforgettable moment from the 2021 trip was Dharmendra’s visit to the Atal Tunnel Rohtang. This tunnel, inaugurated in 2020, is one of India’s greatest engineering achievements. It stretches over 9 kilometers, making travel to Lahaul and Spiti much faster and safe. Dharmendra had last visited Rohtang nearly twenty years earlier, when the old route was steep, dangerous, and unpredictable.
When he saw the Atal Tunnel, he was astonished. He called it “kisi ajube se kam nahi,” meaning “nothing less than a miracle.” Standing inside the tunnel, he looked around with wonder, praising the government, engineers, and workers who made the project possible. His admiration was honest and heartfelt. Fans across India loved seeing Dharmendra experience this mix of nostalgia and amazement.
The 2024 Trip Quiet Moments at Gobindsagar Lake
In 2024, Dharmendra visited Himachal once again, this time to Gobindsagar Lake in Bilaspur, accompanied by Sunny Deol and other family members. This trip was meaningful because it showed how deeply he valued nature even in the final years of his life. The family stayed near the lake at a private hotel close to Rishikesh village in Gram Panchayat Hamlo. Gobindsagar Lake, with its serene blue waters and surrounding hills, provided Dharmendra with an ideal place for quiet reflection.
He spent long hours sitting by the water, watching its calm surface shimmer in the sun. Locals who spotted him during this visit described him as peaceful, content, and full of gratitude. Despite aging and health challenges, his love for pristine landscapes remained unchanged. This visit turned out to be one of his last major trips to Himachal, making the memories even more precious.
The Man Behind the Legend: Simplicity, Humility, and Nature
Dharmendra’s relationship with Himachal reflected his deeper personality. He was a man who valued simplicity, kindness, and purity over fame, wealth, and luxury. Even after achieving legendary status in Indian cinema, he remained grounded. He spoke warmly to strangers, respected local traditions, and appreciated small joys like drinking hot tea in cold weather or feeling snowflakes on his hands.
His humility made him beloved not just on screen but in real life. When he walked through the markets of Manali or sat by the lake in Bilaspur, he seemed more like a traveler in love with nature than a superstar.
A Legacy Carved into the Mountains
At the same time, Himachal also embraced him wholeheartedly. The state became a part of his personal story—a place where he found peace during stressful times, where he revisited his youth, where he created cinematic memories, and where he spent meaningful moments with his family. The mountains knew his footsteps; the valleys heard his laughter; the locals remember his kind words.
Today, even though Dharmendra is no longer physically present, his memories continue to echo through the hills he loved so dearly. His connection with Himachal lives on in the videos from 2021, in the stories locals tell with pride, in the films he shot amid snowy slopes, and in the quiet beauty of the landscapes he adored.
The Spiritual Connection: Mountains as Dharmendra’s Place of Healing
Dharmendra often said that mountains had a spiritual pull that was impossible to describe in words. People who were close to him revealed that he believed nature had the power to heal both the mind and the soul. Throughout his career, he lived through countless pressures—tight shooting schedules, intense physical roles, industry politics, and the emotional strain of celebrity life.
In moments of exhaustion or emotional turmoil, he looked toward the hills for relief. Himachal Pradesh was not just scenic beauty for him—it was a source of deep internal cleansing. Standing among the tall deodar trees or listening to the rhythmic flow of the Beas River allowed him to reconnect with himself. He often said that silence in the mountains wasn’t empty; it was full of comfort, full of answers.
In many interviews, Dharmendra expressed how much he admired the purity of the people living in the hills. He felt that mountain residents had a different kind of honesty—simple lifestyles, clean surroundings, and warm hearts. These qualities reminded him of his own childhood in Punjab, where life moved slowly and relationships mattered more than fame.
This emotional nostalgia made Himachal feel like home. Locals who met him during his visits say that he never behaved like he was someone extraordinary. He shook hands with everyone, asked about their families, and listened carefully to anyone who spoke to him. These gestures left a lasting impression on the people of Himachal, who still talk about him with admiration and affection.
How Manali Shaped His Early Film Career
Long before tourism boomed or luxury hotels came to Manali, the region was an adventure zone for filmmakers. Roads were rough, snowfall was unpredictable, and electricity supply was unstable. Yet, the breathtaking beauty of the landscape was irresistible for filmmakers seeking natural backdrops. Dharmendra was among the first major stars to shoot extensively in the region. In the 1960s and 70s, when Bollywood rarely ventured into high-altitude locations, he filmed several critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies here.
During the shoot of “Admi Aur Insaan,” Dharmendra and the crew often had to trek uphill for hours because vehicles couldn’t reach the locations. Locals from nearby villages helped carry equipment, props, and supplies. Dharmendra later said in an interview that he respected the people who worked behind the scenes even more after shooting in such difficult terrains. The challenging experience strengthened his admiration for the mountains and deepened his emotional bond with Himachal.
Years later, when he returned to the same regions as a tourist, memories of those early film days resurfaced. Standing on a snowy slope in 2021, he reportedly told Sunny Deol, “Yahin humne woh action scene kiya tha. Zindagi kitni jaldi nikal jaati hai.” This showed how strongly he connected with the landscape—not just as a tourist, but as an artist whose creativity had once flourished there.
His Admiration for the Hardworking Mountain Communities
Dharmendra’s humility was reflected in his deep admiration for the hardworking mountain communities. He often spent time with the people who owned orchards, local shepherds, and even roadside tea vendors. The actor once mentioned that mountain people had an innocent charm that reminded him of his own parents and grandparents. He felt at ease around them because they treated him like a human being, not a celebrity.
During his 2021 visit, he was seen sipping tea at small roadside stalls. People who met him during those moments said that he made everyone feel like an equal. He asked locals about their apple crops, weather challenges, and tourism income. He even expressed concern about how climate change was affecting snowfall patterns and farming in the region. Such conversations proved how deeply he connected with local culture and issues.
Even the staff at the Sarsei cottage where he stayed spoke highly of his discipline and simplicity. He woke up early, ate light meals, and spent long hours simply watching the mountains in silence. They say that he always thanked them for even the smallest service, whether it was a cup of tea or a blanket.
Dharmendra and Sunny Deol
Dharmendra’s relationship with his son Sunny Deol is well-known in the film industry—one based on respect, love, and deep emotional understanding. The mountains played a unique role in strengthening their bond. Sunny, who is also a nature lover, believed that spending time in peaceful environments was good for his father’s health and happiness. This is one reason why he arranged long stays in Manali and rented cottages for the family. The viral video from 2021—where Dharmendra lovingly thanked Sunny for bringing him to Manali—captured this beautiful father-son connection.
Sunny often took Dharmendra for short drives through the surrounding hills, making sure he could comfortably enjoy the scenic beauty. Locals remember seeing the two together—sometimes laughing, sometimes chatting quietly, sometimes just admiring the valley in silence. They shared a mutual love for the outdoors, and these trips became a cherished part of their life together.
In many ways, those mountains gave Dharmendra the emotional space to open up more as a father. He shared stories from his youth, talked about challenges he faced in the film industry, and expressed gratitude for his family’s love. For Sunny, these moments were priceless because they offered a side of his father that he rarely showed in public.
A Bond Written in Wind, Snow, and Memory
In the end, Dharmendra’s relationship with Himachal Pradesh can be described as a beautiful friendship between a man and a mountain. The mountains gave him peace, and he gave them love. Their bond was timeless, pure, and deeply human—a reminder that nature holds the power to heal, comfort, and inspire.
And thus, even today, when the winds blow across the valleys of Himachal, it feels as if they carry the warmth of a man who once stood there smiling,”In vadiyon mein kho jaane ka mann karta hai,” she murmured.
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