Dharmendra

Dharmendra

Dharmendra: The Charismatic He-Man of Bollywood

Dharmendra, the dashing and debonair actor, has left an indelible mark on the Hindi film industry with his charming persona, rugged good looks, and versatile acting skills. Born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana district of Punjab, he went on to become one of the most iconic and beloved actors in Bollywood history. With a career spanning over six decades and more than 300 films, Dharmendra has earned the title of the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema.

Early Life and Struggle

Dharmendra’s journey to stardom was not an easy one. He came from a humble background and had to work hard to make a name for himself in the highly competitive world of Bollywood. After completing his education, he participated in the Filmfare magazine’s new talent award and won. This opened the doors for him to enter the film industry.

His first film was “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere” in 1960, but it was his role in the 1966 film “Phool Aur Patthar” that catapulted him to stardom. He played the role of a thief who falls in love with a rich man’s daughter, portrayed by Meena Kumari. The film was a huge success and established Dharmendra as a leading actor in Bollywood.

The Action Hero

Dharmendra was known for his macho image and his ability to perform his own stunts. He was one of the first actors in Bollywood to popularize the concept of the “angry young man”. His rugged looks and muscular physique made him the perfect choice for action roles. Some of his most memorable action films include:

Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)
Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
Sholay (1975)
Dharam Veer (1977)
The Burning Train (1980)

Versatile Actor

Despite being known primarily as an action hero, Dharmendra was a versatile actor who could easily slip into any role. He showed his range as an actor in films like:

Anupama (1966)
Satyakam (1969)
Chupke Chupke (1975)
Dream Girl (1977)
Life in a… Metro (2007)

He also had a knack for comedy and was part of several successful comedies like “Tum Haseen Main Jawaan” (1970), “Chupke Chupke” (1975) and “Naukar Biwi Ka” (1983).

Personal Life

Dharmendra’s personal life has been as eventful as his film career. He was first married to Prakash Kaur in 1954 and had two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who went on to become successful actors themselves.

Later, he fell in love with actress Hema Malini on the sets of “Tum Haseen Main Jawaan” (1970). They went on to act together in several successful films like “Seeta Aur Geeta” (1972), “Sholay” (1975) and “Dream Girl” (1977). Despite the challenges posed by Dharmendra’s first marriage, they eventually got married in 1980 and have two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

Awards and Accolades

Dharmendra’s contributions to Indian cinema have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Some of his most notable achievements include:

Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997
Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, in 2012
Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2017

He served as a Member of Parliament in the 14th Lok Sabha representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Legacy

Dharmendra’s legacy extends beyond his own illustrious career. His sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, have carried on his legacy in Bollywood and have had successful careers of their own.

He has also been an inspiration to many aspiring actors and continues to be loved and respected by fans across generations. His contribution to Indian cinema is immeasurable and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Filmography (selected)

Phool Aur Patthar (1966)
Satyakam (1969)
Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)
Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)
Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
Chupke Chupke (1975)
Sholay (1975)
Dream Girl (1977)
The Burning Train (1980)
Naukar Biwi Ka (1983)
Life in a… Metro (2007)
Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011)
Second Hand Husband (2015)

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