“Aj bhi ji karda…” A Final Hug from Punjab’s Greatest Son, Dharmendra

Rarely do some lines become immortal and touch the innermost feelings and walk straight into your heart. And when those lines come from Dharam Ji, they feel like the voice of an entire generation calling out to its roots.

The makers of Ikkis have released a deeply moving video where Dharmendra recites a poem about home, childhood,and the soil that shaped him. It is more than just a verse; it is a final hug from a legend who carried Punjab in his heart. His voice trembles gently through the words, as if he is speaking to every person who has ever missed their village lanes, their childhood friends or the warmth of their mother’s lap.

The video captures Dharam Ji’s character returning to his pind, wandering through the old gullies, touching the walls that once heard his laughter, meeting faces that time never managed to erase. The poem paints pictures of simpler days: bathing in the village pond, chasing cattle, playing kabaddi with friends who felt like brothers. Each line is soaked in nostalgia, reminding us that no matter where life takes us, the soil of our childhood never stops calling.

Fans across the world felt the weight of this moment. Many wrote that the poem brought tears to their eyes. Others simply said they missed Dharam Ji, the man who lived six decades in cinema with grace, warmth and an unshakable connection to his roots.

Dharmendra passed away on 24 November at 89, leaving behind memories that will echo for years. Ikkis, releasing on 25th December 2025, will be his final gift to the big screen. A story of courage, heritage and the heart of a man who never stopped longing for home.


Gji
 

Lyrics of Dharamji’s poem:

Aj bhi ji karda hai, Pind apne nu jaanwa,

tope wich badke, majiya nuwa awa,

Le ke daati pediya ju, pathey wi le awa,

Mithiya ji khetna, kabadi wala khel

Pind wali zindagi da kid nal mail…

Panj dariyava da mitha mitha paani

Wagdi hava vich

guruan di baani 

Aukhe ae bebe wali bukul chit cho puloni

Ae ni maaye meriye main sadke tere java

Aj bhi kee karda pind vicha java

Aj bhi kee karda pind vicha java

 

Dharamji’s poem English Translation:

My heart yearns for that village of mine

The waters where I bathed with cattle

The fields where I wandered for fodder

To become one with earth in my games

That life which can’t be spelt in names

At that confluence of five rivers where waters run sweet

And the winds resound gently with joyous truths

In that embrace my soul finally rests

All of my being is yours, Oh Mother!

My heart yearns for that village of mine

 

Anil Mehta translation:

My heart still longs

To return to the village / country

Wade into the river

And bathe with the cattle

Walk into the fields

To gather their fodder

Play in the soil

Kabaddi like games

There’s no life

Like village / country life

In the five rivers

The waters run sweet

Chants of gurus

Resound in the air

 

The next 3/4 lines are about the mother’s embrace and how he’d give his life for her or is devoted

to her… but the literal meaning is tough to decipher

‘ O mother of mine, to you I’m totally devoted..’ Etc

My heart still longs

To return to the village