Director Anil Sharma recently shared a nostalgic look back at "Sher," a shelved spy film starring Dharmendra from 1986, revealing that the veteran actor was envisioned as India's answer to James Bond. Sharma took to X to reminisce about the film, sharing a rare poster and divulging details about the ambitious project.

"Sher" was planned as an international co-production between India's RSD International and Thailand's Alkemal. Sharma described it as a spy movie, with Dharmendra playing a character in the vein of James Bond. The film was intended to be shot abroad and featured a stellar cast, with dialogues penned by Kader Khan. A song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal (LP) was also recorded. Sharma fondly recalled Dharmendra's "highly stylish action" and comedic scenes during the film's brief production period in Mumbai. The film's mahurat (launch) was held at Hotel Sea Rock before the release of "Hukumat".

However, due to unforeseen issues between the producers, "Sher" was ultimately shelved. Sharma, who was relatively new to the industry at the time, expressed his regret that the film never saw the light of day, stating that the script was "terrific and full of entertainment". He added, "But what happens is up to God's wishes".

Prior to "Sher," Sharma had directed only a couple of films, including "Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka". Following the shelving of "Sher," Sharma and Dharmendra went on to collaborate on four action films: "Hukumat" (1987), "Elaan-E-Jung" (1989), "Farishtay" (1991), and "Tahalka" (1992). Sharma later worked with Dharmendra's son, Sunny Deol, in the blockbuster "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" (2001) and "Hero: The Love Story of a Spy" (2003).

The shared poster of "Sher" features a shirtless Dharmendra, showcasing his physique and holding a gun, with the tagline "To save humanity!". Sharma's revelation has sparked renewed interest in the unreleased film, with fans and industry insiders alike curious about what could have been.

The director owes a significant part of his early career to Dharmendra, having worked on four consecutive films with him in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their first collaboration, "Hukumat," became a major success.

Sharma's reminiscence about "Sher" comes at a time when prayers are pouring in for Dharmendra's recovery, as the veteran actor recently faced health concerns. The Deol family is reportedly planning to celebrate Dharmendra's 90th birthday next month. Amidst this, Sharma's sharing of the "Sher" poster has brought a nostalgic moment to fans, reminding them of Dharmendra's enduring legacy in Indian cinema.