Dharmendra Biography

Dharmendra, an Indian film actor, producer, and politician, was born in Phagwara, Punjab, to Kewal Kishen Singh Deol, a school headmaster, and Satwant Kaur. Belonging to a Sikh family, he grew up with humble roots before making his way into the Hindi film industry. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his immense contribution to Indian cinema.

Rise to Stardom

Dharmendra was first noticed through a Filmfare talent contest, which brought him to Mumbai. He made his acting debut with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere (1960). Initially cast in romantic roles, he later transitioned into action films, earning the title “He-Man” of Bollywood. His first major hit, Phool Aur Paththar (1966), made him one of the most sought-after stars of the 1960s and 1970s.

Iconic Films and Collaborations

Dharmendra starred in over 300 films, working across romance, drama, action, and comedy. His memorable films include Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, Dillagi, and Pratigya. He worked with many renowned directors like Bimal Roy, Yash Chopra, and Ramesh Sippy. His versatility made him one of the few actors equally brilliant in action and comedy, alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar.

Famous On-Screen Pairings

Throughout his career, Dharmendra shared remarkable chemistry with leading actresses such as Meena Kumari, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, and Zeenat Aman. However, his most iconic pairing was with Hema Malini, his future wife. The duo acted in 27 films together, including Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl, The Burning Train, and Raja Jani, most of which were major hits.

Family and Personal Life

Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 and has two sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, and two daughters, Vijeta and Ajeeta. Later, he married actress Hema Malini, with whom he has two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol. His nephew Abhay Deol is also an actor. Despite family ties to the film world, Dharmendra preferred keeping his daughters away from the industry.

Political Career

Apart from films, Dharmendra also ventured into politics. He served as a Member of Parliament in the 14th Lok Sabha, representing the Bikaner constituency of Rajasthan. As a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he actively participated in political activities during the early 2000s. Though some of his remarks stirred controversy, his popularity remained unaffected.

Legacy and Influence

Dharmendra’s charming looks earned him a place among the world’s most handsome men at the peak of his career. His fitness and physique set a new trend for Bollywood heroes. He inspired stars like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, and launched his sons Sunny and Bobby in Betaab (1983) and Barsaat (1995), respectively, as well as his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005).

Later Career and Comeback

After a brief hiatus, Dharmendra returned to films with successful roles in Life in a... Metro and Apne (2007), where he starred alongside his sons for the first time. He also played a dark role in Johnny Gaddaar, showcasing his range as an actor. Apart from Hindi cinema, he acted in several Punjabi films, leaving an indelible mark on regional cinema as well.

Death

Bollywood legendary actor Dharmendra, lovingly called the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema, passed away on 24 November 2025 at the age of 89. Earlier this month, the actor had been discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on 12 November and was believed to be stable and recovering at home.