Dharmendra is an Indian actor, film producer and former politician. He is the ‘Action King’ and ‘The Man’ of Bollywood. Dharmendra is one of the versatile actors of the Bollywood industry and a recipient of the Padma Shri, India’s third highest civilian honor, awarded by the Government of India. Let’s take a deep dive into the actor’s professional and personal life.
Biography/Wiki
Dharmendra was born on December 8, 1935 in Nasrali village, Khanna tehsil, Ludhiana, Punjab, India as Dharam Singh Deol (88 years old; as of 2023). He spent his childhood in the village of Sachnewal. As a child, Dharmendra was very reluctant to go to school and often disturbed his mother when he went to school. He completed his high school education from Government High School, Laltonkalan, Ludhiana, Punjab and continued his high school education from Phagwara Intermediate College, RG (Ramgarhia). Dharmendra dropped out of school after completing his 12th standard due to lack of interest in studies.
His interest in movies began at a young age and he often shared his fascination with his mother. He was a huge fan of actress ‘Suraiya’ and walked miles to watch her film ‘Dillagi’. Dharmendra has watched that movie nearly 40 times. One day, his mother saw an advertisement for a film shot by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt on Filmfare and suggested that he participate. Dharmendra then went to Malerkotla to have Jaan Mohammed (John & Sons) complete his portfolio and send in applications for participation. He won the New Talent Search Award from Filmfare magazine and moved to Mumbai in search of work.
Damatura’s teenage years
appearance
The brown-eyed actor is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 75 kilograms.
family and caste
Dharmendra is a native of Ludhiana and was born into a Jat Sikh family. He is the son of government school teachers Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur. Dharmendra has a brother named Ajit Singh Deol.
Damatura and his parents
Damudara and his brothers
In 1954, he married 19-year-old Prakash Kaur. The couple has two sons, Ajay Singh Deol and Bobby Deol, and two daughters, Vijeeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol.
Dharmendra and wife Prakash Kaur
Dharmendra with Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol
Dharmendra with his daughter and son Bobby
Dharmendra and Sunny Deol
Dharmendra is said to have been in a relationship with actress Meena Kumari in the 1960s. Some even say that she helped Dharmendra become an A-list star in Bollywood.
Dharmendra and Meena Kumari
In the 1970s, Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini while shooting for the film Sholay. There was even a time when Dharmendra bribed the lighting boy to disrupt the lighting whenever there was an intimate scene so that as many retakes as possible could be done. However, love is not limited to the sets and the actor decided to marry Hema despite being married.
In 1980, when his first wife Prakash Kaur refused to divorce him, Dharmendra converted to Islam and married Hema Malini marry. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Dharmendra and his second wife Hema Malini
Dharmendra with his wife Hema and daughters Esha and Ahana
Ahana Deol and Esha Deol
Profession
Dharmendra marked his film debut in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s film Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere. This movie is 51. Next, he played a supporting role in the film “The Boyfriend” in 1961. From 1960 to 1966, Dharmendra usually played romantic heroes at the beginning of his career.
In 1966, Dharmendra appeared as a solo hero in Phool Aur Patthar. The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1966 and propelled Dharmendra to greater fame and glory. Dharmendra also received his first Filmfare nomination for Best Actor for this film. Dharmendra, who was earlier portrayed as a romantic hero, started playing action roles in films from 1974 onwards.
From the beginning of his journey, he had the opportunity to work with some of the famous actresses of his generation. He starred opposite Nutan in Bandini (1963) and Soorat Aur Seerat (1962). Dharmendra and Meena Kumari in Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (1964), Kaajal (1965), Purnima (1965), Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Majhli Didi (1967), Chandan Ka Palna (1967) and Baharon Ki Manzil (1968) successfully paired).
Dharmendra also paired with Hema Malini and sang hit songs like “Raja Jani”, “Sharafat”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Charas”, “Maa”, “Sholay” and “Azaad”. In fact, they formed one of the most successful on-screen partnerships of their time. His notable performances include Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Satyakam” and Ramesh Sippy’s action-adventure “Sholay”. “Sholay” became one of the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema and was listed by India as one of the “25 Must-See Bollywood Movies of All Time”.
Apart from Bollywood, Dharmendra has also appeared in some Punjabi films. He made his debut in Punjabi films with Kankan De Ohle (1970).
As a producer, he got his two sons into the industry. Sunny Deol entered Bollywood in 1983 with the release of his first album as a producer, Betaab. In 1995, he also launched his younger son, Bobby, at Barsaat.
Apart from Bollywood, Dharmendra is also actively involved in politics. He is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing the Bhartiya Janta Party in the Bikaner constituency of Rajasthan.
dispute
- Despite being married to Prakash Kaur, Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini and wanted to marry her. In 1980, when Prakash Kaur refused to divorce him, he converted to Islam in order to marry his love Hema Malini. His actions were severely criticized by the media.
- The actor was also criticized for making sarcastic comments during the 2004 campaign that he should be chosen as “Director Peppetto” to teach basic etiquette required in a democracy.
- He was also criticized in the media for his negligible attendance at parliament.
- When reporters asked him about his sons Bobby and Sunny’s absence from Esha Deol’s wedding reception, Dharmendra lost his cool and reacted strangely. He made a strange sound and retorted: “Aap bakwaas mat kijiye.”
Awards
- In 1991, “Dharmendra” won the National Film Award for “Best Wholesome Entertainment Popular Film” for the film “Ghayal” (producer).
- In 1997, Dharmendra was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.
- In 2007, he received the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Shri.
Dharmadhara conferred upon Padma Shri
assets/property
Dharmendra owns agricultural land worth over Rs 88 lakh, non-agricultural land worth over Rs 52 lakh and a building worth over Rs 17 crore in Mumbai.
car collection
Dharmendra has a collection of Range Rover, Mercedes Benz S-Class and a vintage car.
net worth
His net worth is approximately Rs 23 crore (2014).
favorite thing
- Dharmendra’s hobbies are cycling, traveling and watching movies.
- His favorite film of all time is Dillagi (1949).
- He is a huge fan of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar.
Dharmendra and Lata Mangeshkar
- Suraiya and Nutan top his list of favorite actresses.
- His favorite actors are Guru Dutt and Dilip Kumar.
- Arjun Hingorani is his favorite director.
Dharmendra and Arjun Hingorani
fact
- Dharmendra drank alcohol occasionally.
- Dharmendra follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- His residence is located at Plot No. 22, Juhu Road 111, Mumbai, India.
Dharmendra’s residence in Mumbai
- He is often called the ‘Garam Dharam’ of Bollywood. In fact, a chain of restaurants called ‘Garam Dharam’ has opened in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh as a tribute to Dharmadhara and his timeless films. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the actor’s famous lines.
Garam Dharam Restaurant in Delhi
- He is the only actor to share screen space with all members of the Kapoor family, except Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor.
- In 1975, while shooting for the movie Pratigya, the choreographer of the song “Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana” got annoyed for teaching Dharmendra the correct steps. The actor then decided to dance at his own pace, in his naturally unique style.
- Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has hailed Dharmendra as the most handsome man he has ever seen.
Dharmendra by Dilip Kumar
- During the shooting of “Sholay”, when Amitabh Bachchan was new to the industry, Dharmendra developed a rapport with him and the two redefined friendship in Bollywood.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education