Veteran actor Dharmendra, known for his larger-than-life persona, recently revealed an interesting anecdote from the set of the 2007 neo-noir thriller "Johnny Gaddaar." The film, directed by Sriram Raghavan, featured Dharmendra alongside Neil Nitin Mukesh, who made his debut with this movie.

During the filming of a crucial scene where his character, Sheshadri, is killed, Dharmendra intervened and requested a change in the method of his character's demise. Initially, the script called for Sheshadri to be killed with either an ice pick or a knife. However, Dharmendra felt that these weapons were not befitting of his on-screen image.

According to director Sriram Raghavan, Dharmendra insisted on being shot with a gun. While a gun might have seemed like a more conventional choice for a crime thriller, Dharmendra argued that only a gun would do justice to his character, as he was, after all, Dharmendra. This request, though initially surprising to the director, ultimately made sense, acknowledging the actor's established image and screen presence. The director recalls that it eventually took over half a dozen gunshots for his character to die in the film.

Beyond just the weapon, Dharmendra also brought his own sensibilities to the portrayal of death. He felt that a drawn-out death scene wouldn't suit his character. Apparently, the original scene implied a prolonged death, to which the actor responded, "It'll take me 15 minutes to die with this…" Implying he wanted a quicker, more decisive end.

Screenwriter Ishita Moitra, who recently collaborated with Dharmendra in the Karan Johar film "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," shared her experiences of working with the actor. She fondly recalled conversations with him on set, where he spoke about his illustrious cinematic journey.

Sriram Raghavan also shared other memories of directing Dharmendra in "Johnny Gaddaar". He recounted being nervous when he first narrated the script to the veteran actor, particularly because Dharmendra's character was slated to die in the first half of the film. However, the director noted that Dharmendra was more concerned with the overall film than just his role, even though he wasn't in the second half.

Despite his vast experience, Dharmendra approached the film with the enthusiasm of a newcomer, always willing to do as many takes as required. This dedication and commitment to his craft, even after decades in the industry, left a lasting impression on the director.

"Johnny Gaddaar" went on to become a sleeper hit, receiving critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and performances. The film, which has been identified as an uncredited adaptation of Alain Reynaud Fourton's novel "Les Mystifies," features a complex plot involving a gang of five involved in a drug deal gone wrong. The movie is filled with twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing until the very end.