Dharmendra
Dharmendra was one of the most well-known performers and popular actors in the history of the Hindi film industry. For his muscular physique and action sequences in Hindi cinema, Dharmendra is nicknamed ‘Heman’. His most well-known films include Anupama, Satyakam, and Bandhani. But it was his portrayal as Veeru in the 1975 film Sholay that garnered the most attention. His supporters still refer to him by this name. During his cinematic career, he made the most films alongside his wife, Hema Malini. He was a representative of India’s 14th Lok Sabha. In 2012, the Padma Bhushan award was bestowed on him.
Birth of Dharmendra
Dharmendra was born in Punjab in the city of Phagwara on December 8, 1935. His father, Kishan Singh Deol, was the headmaster of a school in Lalton village of Ludhiana. Dharmendra has been married twice. Prakash Kaur was his first wife. Their four children are Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta Deol and Ajita Deol. His sons work as actors in Hindi films, while his daughter has moved overseas after getting married. His second wife is Hema Malini, a famous actress and dream girl in the Hindi film industry. He is the father of two girls from Hema Malini. Both of their daughters, Isha Deol and Ahana Deol, are married.
Personal Life
Dharmendra is an emotional and bashful man who spent most of his life in front of camera. In 1954, when he was 19, he wedded Prakash Kaur. Sunny, Bobby, Vijita, and Ajita were born from this marriage.
He fell in love with his co-star Hema Malini while at the height of success in his film career in the 1970s. He married her without even divorcing his first wife. From this marriage, he has two daughters, Isha and Ahana.
Education
Dharmendra had his early schooling at Jalandhar’s Government Senior Secondary School. Under the impression of going to school, he used to sneak into the cinema hall to watch movies. He was so obsessed with movies that in 1949, he saw the film ‘Dillagi’ 40 times. Dharmendra is illiterate but has loved movies from a very young age.
Dharmendra’s Film Career
After receiving the FilmFare Magazine New Talent Award, Dharmendra moved to Mumbai in the hopes of finding work. In 1960, Arjun Hingorani made his Bollywood debut with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. Following that, he featured as a co-star in the 1961 picture Boy Friend and subsequently starred in several romantic films between 1960 and 1967.
He worked with Nutan on Surat and Seerat (1962), Bandini (1963), Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966), and Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967), as well as Anpadha (1962), Pooja Ke Phool Mein Mala (1962), and Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967). Singh (1964), Bahare Bhi Aayegi and Akashdeep with Nanda, ‘Shaadi’ with Saira Banu, and Aai Milan Ki Bela (1964) and Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (1964) with Meena Kumari, Kajal (1965), Poornima (1965), and Phool and Patthar with Meena Kumari, Kajal (1965), Poornima (1965) and Phool and Patthar(1966).
He had a lead role in Phool Aur Patthar (1966), his first action movie, and it was because of this film he became renowned as an action hero, and then he starred in Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), which was also among his hit action film.
For Phool Aur Patthar, the highest-grossing movie of 1966, Dharmendra obtained his First Filmfare Award for Best Actor. People also loved his performance in the film Anupama for his character’s role. Since 1975, he has started acting in romantic and action films, which made him earn the title of “Versatile Actor.” He has performed in screwball comedies like Tum Hasein Main Jawan, Do Chaar, Chupke Chupke, Dillagi, and Naukri Biwi Ka.
After becoming his wife, Hema Malini was his most successful co-star. His partnerships include Raja Jani, Sita Aur Geeta, Sharafat, Naya Jaana, Patthar Aur Payal, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Jugnu, Dost, Charas, Maa, Chacha Bhatija, Azad, and Sholay. Sholay was named one of the “Top 25 Must-See Bollywood Films” by the Indian Times. Sholay was also named Best Film of 50 Years by a panel of judges at the 50th Annual Filmfare Awards in 2005.
Between 1974 and 1984, Dharmendra appeared in the films Dharam-Veer, Charas, Azad, Ghazab, Rajput, Bhagwat, Jani Dost, Dharam aur Kanoon, Intekaam, Hukumat, and Raj Tilak.
He has collaborated with several filmmakers on a variety of projects. From 1960 through 1991, he worked with filmmaker Arjun Hingorani on several projects. Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was Dharmendra’s first movie as an actor. His other movies were Kahani Kismat Ki, Khel Khiladi Ka, and Kaun Kare Qurbani. He appeared in the films Naya Zamana, Dream Girl, Azad, and Jugnu, all directed by Pramod Chakraborty. Dharmendra then went on to portray two roles in Yaar (1969), a father and son in Samadhi (1972), twin brothers in Gazab (1982), and a quadruple role in Jiyo Shaan Se.
Except for Prithviraj and Kareena Kapoor, Dharmendra has worked with everyone in the Kapoor family. He appeared in various films as a principal actor and co-star between 1980 and 1990. He appeared in films such as Kankan De Ole (Guest Role) (1970), Do Sher (1974), Dukh Bhajan Tera Naam (1974), Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975), and Put Jattaan De (1975) in Punjabi (1982), do it.
He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. When Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu delivered the medal, Dilip Kumar said, “Whenever I meet God, I will only complain to him because he did not create me as gorgeous as Dharmendra”.
Following that, he started his production house and launched both of his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, in Betaab (1983) and Barsaat (1995), respectively. He also launched his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005). Dharmendra is Preity Zinta’s favourite actor, according to an interview. In the film Har Pal, she wanted Dharmendra to play her father (2008).
After a break from acting from 2003 to 2007, he had cameo appearances in the films Life in a Metro and Apne. Both of his films did great at the box office and was critically acclaimed. Following that, he starred in Johnny Gaddaar, a film in which he was portrayed as a villain.
He, along with his sons in the year 2011, released the film Yamla Pagla Deewana on January 14, 2011. He subsequently directed Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, which came out in 2013. Dharmendra, his daughter Isha, and his wife Hema appeared in the 2011 film Tell Me O Khuda. In 2014, he appeared in a dual role in the Punjabi film Double the Trouble. Dharmendra took over as a judge for the third season of India’s Got Talent in 2011, replacing Sajid Khan. India’s Got Talent premiered on Colors on July 29, 2011, with substantially greater ratings than the previous two seasons.
Dharmendra’s Political Career
Dharmendra is a politician and is quite popular. He was appointed as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, Rajasthan, in the 2004 general elections as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During his election campaign, he stated his opinions on several critical subjects and attempted to convey the essence of democracy to the country’s citizens. However, throughout that time, he accomplished a great deal. Even though he was a Member of Parliament, he rarely went since he was too busy shooting and managing the farm.
Dharmendra as Producer
Deol founded Vijeta Films Pvt Ltd, a film firm, in 1983. Betaab, starring his son Sunny Deol was the first film produced by this production house and released in 1983; it was also Dharmendra’s first film as a producer. His picture was a box office success. He produced Ghayal, an action film starring his son Sunny Deol, in 1990. The film received seven Filmfare Award nominations, including Best Movie. In entertainment, the film has also received a National Award.
Awards and Achievements
- For the first time, Dharmendra was shortlisted for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his movie Phool Aur Patthar in 1966.
- For his efforts in films like ‘Naukr Biwi Ka’ and ‘Aai Milan Ki Bela,’ he was also nominated for a Filmfare Award.
- In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
- The Padma Bhushan Award was presented to him in 2012.
- In 1991, he won the Best National Film Award for Ghayal.
Net Worth
Dharmendra’s estimated net worth is $70 million.
Controversies
Prakash Kaur, his first wife, did not divorce him when he was set to marry Hema Malini in 1980. As a result, Dharmendra converted to the religion of Islam. This drew a lot of backlash in the media.
During his 2004 election campaign, he made a divisive speech that drew widespread condemnation. He stated in his statement that “He should be named the administrator of India, so that he may educate the population here the principles of etiquette/ethics that are important for democracy.” The media also denounced his absence from Parliament as a Member of Parliament.