It is a moment etched in history. Three generations of Hindi cinema sharing one stage. At the 1997 Filmfare Awards, the legendary Dharmendra received his Lifetime Achievement Award from none other than Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan. The emotional evening saw Dharmendra reminiscing about his humble beginnings, his struggles to make it to Bombay and his decades-long wait for the Black Lady that had always eluded him.

In his winning speech, he said, “Main actor banna chahta tha, jaise ki har nawjawan banna chahta hain. Main kisise zaahir nahi kiya kyunki jab boi actor banna chahta hain aur zaahir karta hain toh mazaak ka mauju bann jaata hain. Maine apni maa aur karibi doston se kahaan ki main actor banna chahta hoon. Maine apni maa se kahaan ki paise bachao aur mujhe Bombay bhejo. Maa ne bola tum family mein sabse bare ho, zimmedaariyo ka bojh hain, kaise jaa sakte ho? Ye naukri aisi nahi hain, mehnat karni padti hain.” (I wanted to become an actor like every other youngster. However, I did not reveal it to my family, because when someone expresses their interest of becoming an actor, they are laughed at. I told my mother and closest friends about my dream. I asked my mom to collect some money and send me to Bombay but she was skeptical as I was the eldest son. She told me the job won’t be an easy one.)

The Sholay actor added, “Toh iss tarah Filmfare mein ekta istehaar chhaapa ke actors and actresses chahiye. Filmfare ne mujhe bulaya aur select kiya. Phir aapka ye bhai aur dost Dharmendra ban gaya Filmfare ki wajah se… Har sal main suit silwaata tha, matching tie dhundta tha ki mujhe ek saal ye award mil jaaye. Lekin nahi mila. ’60s mein meri bohot filmein Golden Jubilee huwi, lekin maine suit silwaane bandh kar diye. Maine socha T-shirt ke saath chala jaunga. Aj 37 saal ke baad mujhe ye trophy mili, jisme mein 15 saalo ki trophies dekh raha hoon, jo mujhe mili nahi.” (Then I came across an advertisement in one of the Filmfare magazines. Filmfare called me and selected me to become an actor. Then I became Dharmendra. It is because of Filmfare. I would purchase a matching suit and tie every year every year for the awards but never received one. I had many hits in the ’60s but I stopped buying suits. I thought I will receive an award in a T-shirt. I am receiving this trophy after 37 years. I am seeing 15 years’ worth of trophies in this one.)