Dharmendra – One of the biggest stars of Indian Cinema
Indian Cinema’s most celebrated legends
From a small-town boy of Punjab to becoming one of Indian Cinema’s most celebrated legends. Actor Dharmendra’s journey is nothing short of an extra ordinary story.
He has been Bollywood’s beloved ‘He-Man’. With this grace, strength, talent, and his timeless charisma he had charmed the audiences and created a place in the hearts of his million fans.
Dharmendra’s early career and his rise to prominence. His career highlights
1960 to 1969 – Winning at the Filmfare Talent Hunt
In the late 1950’s Dharmendra is said to have won the ‘New Talent Award’ from Filmfare magazine. Dharmendra had made his debut in Bollywood. His first movie was ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ released in 1960 which was the beginning of his illustrious career that followed.
Though his first film had not generated much buzz then, his charisma, his good looks and sincerity had won the hearts and he set for himself an incredible stage to progress in his career in films.
The Ultimate action hero – Bollywood’s ‘He-Man’
Bollywood’s ultimate action hero, Dharmendra became the ‘ He-Man’ of the Hindi film industry. He earned the title for his muscular physique and his rugged looks that made him an instant favorite of his fans. Between 1970 and 1980, he gave hits like Phool Aur Pathar in 1966, followed by Jugnu in 1973 and Dharam Veer in 1977.
Dharmendra – The Romantic Hero
From his action roles alongside, Dharmendra was equally adored for his romantic roles. He has delivered some of the most timeless films that were a super hit with his performance in Anupama in 1966, Satyakam in 1969, Chupke Chupke in 1975. He charmed the audience with his charming looks and his subtle emotions.
His Golden Era – ‘Sholay’
Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Sholay’ of 1975 had Dharmendra reaching new heights in the film industry. He had the right chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan. His role as Veeru became iconic. The 1970 to 1980 were his golden years, the best of himself in the Bollywood film industry. Starring alongside in Sholay were Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar.
During this period Dharmendra had massive hits with films like Yaadon Ki Baarat, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl and Kranti. Hema Malini and Dharmendra during this period had the most talked love story. Their on-screen chemistry in films like Sholay and Dream Girl had translated into a real-life bonding when they tied the knot. They both were one of the most adored couples of the film industry. Dharmendra was a versatile actor as he excelled in romantic as well as comedic performances and would showcases a wide range of acting and emotions.
The Deol Legacy
A proud father of actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol Dharmendra built a cinematic dynasty. His sons followed his footsteps and he continued the family’s rich legacy in the Indian cinema. He has two daughters Esha and Ahana Deol born from his marriage to Hema Malini.
Awards and Accolades
Dharmendra won several accolades during his six decades in the film industry . He also was a recipient of Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian honor in 2012, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1977 for his contribution to the Indian Cinema.
Dharmendra held the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema . In 1973 the actor had delivered eight hit films followed by 1987 he had delivered seven consecutive hits and then nice successful films in a single year, which is still held on records of Hindi cinema.
Dharmendra was the winner of Filmfare magazine’s organized for new talent award and that’s how he moved from his home town Punjab to Mumbai to pursue a career in the film industry and the rest is history!!
His first commercial success was in 1961 with Ramesh Saigal’s Shola Aur Shabnam followed by hits such as Anpadh in 1962 and Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963 for which he won the National Film Award for the Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Dharmendra was also recipient of the souvenir at the 14th National Film Awards in recognition for his performance in Anupama. In 1997 Dharmendra had received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and had accepted the Award from Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu.
Dharmendra a filmmaker
Dharmendra founded the production company Vijayta Films and had launched the careers of both his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol in the films. He had helmed films like Betaab in 1983 and Barsaat in 1995 respectively.
1964–1977: Superstardom.
Dharmendra’s breakthrough came with his film Ayee Milan Ki Bela in 1964. Dharmendra starred opposite Saira Banu in a Mohan Kumar film, playing the antagonist, which surprisingly became a superhit. He also acted in Chetan Anand’s Haqeeqat (1964), a war drama based on the 1962 Sino-India war, which was a critical and commercial success, featuring the iconic song “Kar Chale Hum Fida”.
Followed by was his success in Ram Maheshwari’s romantic film Kaajal in 1965 with Meena Kumar, Raaj Kumar and Padmini. In 1966, Dharmendra had O.P. Ralhan’s Phool Aur Patthar with Kumari and it had topped the box office chart, becoming a major blockbuster followed by his films such as Mamta, Devar, Anupama, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke all released in the same year. Dharmendra’s other hit the big league in 1968 with Atma Ram’s mystery thriller Shikar and Ramanand Sagar’s spy thriller Ankhen. Both films had positive response and went on to be blockbusters at the box office. He had commercial successful releases with T. Prakash Rao’s drama film Izzat in which he has a double role to essay, followed by a romantic drama Mere Hamdam Mere Dost.
A decline phase
The emergence of the superstar Rajesh Khanna who stormed the film industry and the nation with his back-to-back successful blockbusters. With the rise of number of stars, Dharmendra in a short phase saw a career decline. However, the phase did not stay for long. He was unaffected by Khanna’s popularity and he rose back with his super hit films such as Aya sawan Jhoom Ke followed by Yakeen, Pyar Hi Pyar and Aadmi Aur Insaan. He received immense acclaim for his portrayal in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s social drama film Satyakam.
In 1970, Dharmendra had delivered four major blockbusters that formed with his hit pair Hema Malini. The first release was Satyen Bose’s crime thriller Jeevan Mrityu. The next was Tum Hassen Main Jawan, Sharafat, followed by his films with actress Sadhana which were Ishq Par Zor Nahin and hit film Kab Kyon aur Kahan with Babita. One of his iconic roles was in Raj Kapoor’s magnup opus Mera Naam Joker in which he had only a supporting role but he had created an impact in the role he had essayed.
In 1971 Dharmendra had starred in Mera Gaon Mera Desh which was an All-time blockbuster and established him as an action hero. The film was by Raj Khosla.
His success continued with another massive block buster which was Mera Gaon Mera Desh followed by Seeta Aur Geeta , a super hit film Raja Jani and Samadhi. All of which were major grossing films back-to-back between 1971 and 1972. Dharmendra had reached the top in the film industry making him the superstar.
A Career Span of 6 Decades
In 1973 the actor’s career had more successful films to his credit. Bhimsingh’s action crime film loafer emerged as a super hit film for its songs as well. Aaj Mausam Bada Be-Imaan’.
His Hindi film songs became immensely poplar among the masses with the sound track as one of the bestselling Hindi film song albums .
Dharmendra’s next was the mystery thriller Jheel Ke Us Paar, and the action drama Jugnu which went on to be another block buster films. Jugnu was made in few other regional languages .
Dharmendra’s Keemat and Jwaar Bhata were light-hearted dramas. He ended the year with blockbusters: Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Blackmail, and Kahani Kismat Ki. Blackmail’s song “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” remains a timeless hit.
Dharmendra: A Legend Unfolds
Dharmendra had one more blockbuster added to his kitty which was Dost co-starring with Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini. A huge box office successful films followed by Patthar Aur Payal and Resham ki Dori.
Chupke Chupke in 1975 was a light hearted comedy film which received great response from critics and was a hit at the box office. The next was Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, the iconic film that was released on Indian Independence Day on August 15th. Sholay had become an overnight super sensation and was the highest grossing film that year and ranked at becoming an all-time blockbuster.
Sholay holds records for 60 golden jubilees and was India’s first film released in 100 theatres. Dharmendra’s next hits included Pratiggya, Charas (1976), and Dharam Veer. Other notable films include Maa, Chacha Bhatija, Khel Khilari Ka, and Dream Girl, showcasing his versatility in action, comedy, and romance.
Dharmendra with continued success had an occasional setback.
After the initial successful tenure with his career in films, Dharmendra had faced a set back. His four major releases which included Shalimar, Azaad, Dillagi and Phandebaaz were commercial failures. Dharmendra’s Shalimar did well, but his other films flopped. He bounced back with Kartavya and Dil Kaa Heera. The Burning Train, despite a big budget and star cast, was average. He had moderate success with Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Ram Balram, and Aas Paas, while films like Krodhi and Baghavat did decent business.
Dharmendra further delivered hit films such as Naukar Biwi Ka by Rajkumar Kohli followed by another successful movie, Qayamat. He also had the biographical film Razia Sultan which was a disaster.Dharmendra starred in several films like Baazi, Jagir, and Dharam Aur Qanoon, which did reasonable business. He also acted in Ghulami, Begaana (1986), alongside Mithun Chakraborty and Kumar Gaurav, which was a commercial success.
Bollywood’s Evergreen Hero
Dharmendra’s comeback included hits like Hukumat and Aag Hi Aag. Other notable films include Watan Ke Rakhwale, Insaaf Ki Pukar, and Khatron Ke Khiladi. Though his star power dipped, he still delivered hits like Naakabandi, Hume Na Takrana, and Kohraam. Later films like Policewala Gunda and Mafia flopped, marking a decline in his success.
Dharmendra from 1998 to Present – Choice of films and shift to character roles.
Dharmendra’s post-sabbatical film choices, including B-grade productions, didn’t quite match his earlier success, affecting his strategy. He transitioned to character roles, appearing in films like Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kiya (1998) and Life in a Metro. Notable mentions include Apne, Johnny Gaddar, and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), a commercial hit.
Legendary Performances
In 2023, Dharmendra appeared in a cameo role in Karan Johar’s ensemble family drama, Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film grossed at 3.5 billion and he was the most loved character in the movie. The film went on to be the highest grossing films of that year followed by the 71st National Awards, it also won the Award for Best Popular Film providing wholesome entertainment.
Next was his film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Ulha with Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon as the romantic pair. The film received mixed reviews for his role in the film. Dharmendra’s most current dated film and yet for its release is Ikkis slated for its release in December 2025. Dharmendra will be seen as M.L. Khetarpal and the movie is based on the biopic on the life of Arun Khetarpal.
Dharmendra’s frequent collaborations
Dharmendra was most successfully paired with his wife and actress Hema Malini. The iconic couple’s films together were mostly superhits. Dharmendra worked with directors like Arjun Hingorani, who gave him hits like Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, his debut lead film. He also collaborated with Pramod Chakraborty and others, exploring different filmmaking styles.
Dharmendra has worked in various other language films
At the beginning of his career, Dharmendra had worked in Bengali film, Paari in 1966 directed by Jagannath Chatterjee. He also worked in his native language, Punjabi in 1970, 1974, until 1990. He had returned to Punjabi cinema after a gap in 2014 with the film Double Di Trouble.
His other works
Political Career and Television.
Dharmendra served as BJP MP from Bikaner (2004-2009). He judged India’s Got Talent (2011) and starred in Taj: Divided by Blood on ZEE5.
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