As heartfelt tributes pour in, IOA President PT Usha recalls the legendary actor Dharmendra’s silent act of philanthropy: sending her a generous ₹50,000 gift after her spectacular 1986 Asian Games medal haul. We explore the Bollywood He-Man’s legacy of kindness towards Indian athletes.
PT Usha Recalls Dharmendra ₹50000 Gift 1986 Asian Games
The recent passing of veteran actor Dharmendra has prompted an outpouring of tributes, not only from the film fraternity but also from public figures who cherished his lesser-known acts of kindness. Among the most heartwarming revelations came from the “Payyoli Express” herself, PT Usha. The current President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) shared a touching memory, confirming an extraordinary moment of Dharmendra Philanthropy that followed her historic performance at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
In a poignant social media post, Usha disclosed that after she secured a spectacular haul of four gold medals and one silver medal at the 1986 Asiad—an unmatched feat at the time—the iconic actor, fondly known as the Bollywood He-Man, quietly sent her a cash prize of ₹50,000. She noted the personal regret of never meeting him face-to-face due to their demanding schedules, yet affirmed that his affection alone was powerful enough to forge a lasting, distant connection. This unpublicized gesture, nearly four decades ago, highlights the genuine support for Indian Athletics that existed outside of official channels.
