The world lost a legend with the passing of Dharmendra, the evergreen star of Indian cinema. While his films live on, it is his larger-than-life persona that continues to inspire generations. For IPS officer Vishwajeet Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh, Dharmendra’s iconic role in the 1975 blockbuster Pratigya was more than entertainment – it ignited a lifelong dream of joining the police force.
Cinema has a rare power: it can entertain, stir emotions, and sometimes even shape destinies. For many, a film is just a two-hour escape. For Vishwajeet, it became a guiding spark. Watching Dharmendra in Pratigya, where he portrayed the dual roles of Inspector Devendra Singh and Thanedaar Indrajeet Singh, left an indelible mark on his young mind.
“Dharmendra’s character was fearless yet compassionate – a man who fought injustice without losing his humanity. That stayed with me,” Vishwajeet recalls. Decades later, destiny would bring him face-to-face with the very hero who had inspired his journey.
The Journey of an Officer: Vishwajeet Srivastava
Born on 11 February 1969 in Faizabad, UP, IPS Srivastava was a child with big dreams. He pursued B.Sc. and LL.B., developing a keen sense of justice and service along the way. His determination led him to crack the civil services examination, joining the Provincial Police Service (PPS) in 1996, and later being inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2017.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks, currently serving as DCP West, Police Commissionerate, Lucknow. His decorated career includes:
- DG Commendation Disc Silver – 15 August 2019
- DG Commendation Disc Gold – November 2021
- President Medal for Meritorious Services – 15 August 2024
Every milestone in his career carried the spark of inspiration lit during his childhood cinema experience.
A Childhood Dream Ignited by Dharmendra
Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, Vishwajeet was captivated by Dharmendra’s on-screen persona – bravery, compassion, humor, and grit. But it was Pratigya that truly shaped his vision of life and duty. Watching the film at Pushparaj Cinema Hall in Faizabad, young Vishwajeet saw not just a hero on screen, but a model of courage and integrity.
“It planted an idea – a life of service, courage, and duty,” he recalls. Dharmendra’s fearless yet empathetic portrayal of a police officer became the blueprint for the man Vishwajeet aspired to be.
Lucknow, 2023: Life Comes Full Circle
Nearly five decades after that formative cinema experience, destiny orchestrated a poetic reunion. Dharmendra, at the age of 87, came to Lucknow to shoot his film Ikkis. Vishwajeet, by then a senior officer, was assigned as the protocol officer for the actor’s shoot.
Stepping into Dharmendra’s vanity van, Vishwajeet felt time pause. “It was not a coincidence — it was life coming full circle,” he says. The actor greeted him warmly –
“Kaise ho beta?”
The hour-long interaction became a treasure trove of inspiration. Dharmendra shared stories of his life and career, admiration for the police, and reflections on human kindness:
- “Policing is thankless. But the nation stands because of officers like you.”
- “Stardom fades, but how you treat people stays.”
They reminisced about Lucknow, Dharmendra’s favorite food, and the memories of shooting in the 70s and 80s. Vishwajeet was struck by the vitality of the 87-year-old actor, noting –
“At that age, he was still full of life, positivity, and energy. There was a spark in his eyes.”
A Lifetime of Inspiration
For Vishwajeet Srivastava, Pratigya was more than entertainment – it was a calling. The meeting with Dharmendra in 2023 was not just a personal moment; it was the closing of a circle that began in a dark cinema hall decades earlier.
“A part of who I am was shaped by him,” IPS Vishwajeet reflects.
From a boy in Faizabad mesmerized by a film hero to an accomplished IPS officer serving the city of Lucknow, Vishwajeet’s journey is a testament to how cinema can inspire real-life courage, integrity, and dedication.
When Life Writes the Story
Sometimes, reality writes stories more cinematic than fiction. IPS Vishwajeet’s encounter with Dharmendra proves that inspiration can transcend decades, that childhood dreams can shape a lifetime, and that destiny often has a poetic sense of timing.
“The man who inspired me to join the police ends up shooting his final film in my city… and I get posted as his protocol officer. What are the odds?”
Through courage, service, and dedication, Mr Srivastava carries forward the legacy of the hero who once lit the fire of his dreams – showing that true inspiration can last a lifetime.
