Dharmendra
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (Dharmendra) is a legendary Indian actor, film producer, and politician. He is lovingly known as the “He-Man of Bollywood” and is considered one of the most handsome and successful stars in the history of Indian cinema.
| |
| Dharmendra in 2025 | |
| Born | 08 December 1935 (age 90) Nasrali, Ludhiana, Punjab, British India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Matriculation (1952) |
| Alma mater | Ramgarhia College, Phagwara, Panjab University, Chandigarh |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer, Politician |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Known for | Being the "He-Man" of Bollywood |
| Notable works | Phool Aur Patthar, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dharam Veer, Apne |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (2012), Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1997) |
| Spouse(s) | Prakash Kaur (m. 1954), Hema Malini (m. 1980) |
| Parents | Kewal Krishan Singh Deol (father), Satwant Kaur (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | |
He started his film career in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. In the 1960s to 1980s, Dharmendra became one of the most popular heroes of Hindi films, giving many hit movies such as Phool Aur Patthar, Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Raja Jani, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Dharam Veer. He acted in both action and romantic roles and was loved by all age groups.
Over his long career of more than six decades, Dharmendra has appeared in over 300 films and holds the record for the highest number of hit movies in Hindi cinema. In 1973, he gave eight hit films in a single year, and in 1987, nine successful movies — a record that still stands.
He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 for his great contribution to Indian cinema and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2012, one of India’s highest civilian awards.
Later, he also appeared in successful modern films like Apne, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Life in a... Metro, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
Apart from films, Dharmendra also entered politics and served as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, Rajasthan, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dharmendra is admired not only for his acting and good looks but also for his humble nature and love for his fans.
Early Life & Education
Dharmendra was born as Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on 8 December 1935 in Nasrali village, Ludhiana district, Punjab, British India. He belongs to a Punjabi Jat family. His father, Kewal Krishan Singh Deol, was a school headmaster, and his mother’s name was Satwant Kaur. Dharmendra spent his childhood in the village of Sahnewal, near Ludhiana.
He studied at Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, where his father worked. He completed his matriculation in 1952 from Phagwara, when schools in Punjab were under Panjab University, Chandigarh. Later, he attended Ramgarhia College, Phagwara, affiliated with Panjab University. From a young age, Dharmendra was fond of films and dreamt of becoming an actor, which led him to move to Bombay (now Mumbai) to pursue a career in cinema.
Career
1960–1969: Early Career and Rise to Fame
Dharmendra started his film career after winning a talent contest organized by Filmfare magazine. He moved from Punjab to Mumbai and made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His early films did not do well, but he soon gained attention with Shola Aur Shabnam (1961), Anpadh (1962), and Bandini (1963).
His big break came with Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), which was a hit and earned him a Filmfare nomination. The same year, his war film Haqeeqat became a huge success. In 1966, Phool Aur Patthar made him a superstar and earned him his first Best Actor nomination. He followed this with more hits like Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Anupama, Devar, and Mamta.
By the late 1960s, Dharmendra had become one of Bollywood’s top heroes with major hits like Shikar, Ankhen, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, and Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke. His performance in Satyakam (1969) was highly praised and is still considered one of his best.
1970–1977: Superstardom
In the 1970s, Dharmendra reached the peak of his career. He gave several superhits such as Jeevan Mrityu, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), which established him as an action hero.
He became one of the most popular stars of the decade with blockbusters like Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Samadhi, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dost, and Pratiggya. His comedy Chupke Chupke (1975) and action classic Sholay (1975) became all-time favorites and cemented his superstar status.
In 1977, films like Dharam Veer, Dream Girl, Chacha Bhatija, and Charas continued his success. By the end of the 1970s, Dharmendra was one of the biggest and most loved actors in India.
1978–1997: Continued Success and Later Years
Though the quality of films varied in the late 1970s and 1980s, Dharmendra remained a popular star. He gave hits like Azaad, Dillagi, The Burning Train, Rajput, Ghazab, and Ghulami. In 1987, he delivered several back-to-back hits like Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, and Watan Ke Rakhwale, making that one of his most successful years.
In the 1990s, his popularity as a lead hero began to fade, but he still appeared in films like Tahalka (1992) and Kshatriya (1993). In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
1998–Present: Character Roles and Comeback
After 1998, Dharmendra started playing character and fatherly roles. His notable movies from this period include Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Life in a... Metro (2007), Apne (2007), and Johnny Gaddaar (2007).
He reunited with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol for Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), which was a hit, though its sequels were less successful. Recently, he appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024), both of which performed well at the box office.
He will next be seen in Ikkis (2025), directed by Sriram Raghavan.
Other Work
Dharmendra worked with many famous directors and actors, but his most successful on-screen pair was with Hema Malini, who later became his wife. Together, they acted in many hit films like Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Dost, Dream Girl, and Charas.
He also worked in Punjabi and Bengali films, including Kankan De Ohle (1970) and Paari (1966).
Political Career
Dharmendra entered politics in 2004 and became a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, Rajasthan, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) until 2009. He was criticized for his low attendance in Parliament but remained popular with the public.
Television Career
In 2011, Dharmendra became a judge on the reality show India’s Got Talent (Season 3) on Colors TV. In 2023, he appeared in the historical web series Taj: Divided by Blood as Salim Chishti.
Film Production
In 1983, Dharmendra started his own production company, Vijayta Films. Its first film Betaab launched his son Sunny Deol and was a big hit. Later, he produced Ghayal (1990), which won several Filmfare Awards and a National Film Award. In 1995, he produced Barsaat to launch his younger son Bobby Deol, which also became a superhit.
Notable Works
Dharmendra has acted in over 300 films across a wide range of genres, earning immense popularity for his versatility and screen presence. The romantic hit "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966), the classic war drama "Haqeeqat" (1964), and the highly regarded "Satyakam" (1969), which is frequently regarded as his best performance, are some of his most well-known works.
His performance as the endearing yet courageous Veeru in "Sholay" (1975), one of the best and most popular movies in Indian cinema history, brought him immense fame. His roles in "Anupama" (1966), "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" (1971), "Seeta Aur Geeta" (1972), "Jugnu" (1973), and "Chupke Chupke" (1975) solidified his status as one of Bollywood's best actors.
In later years, he earned appreciation for his mature and heartfelt roles in films such as Life in a... Metro (2007), Apne (2007), Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). His long and successful career continues to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.
Achievements and Recognition
Dharmendra is one of the most celebrated and honoured actors in Indian cinema. Over his long and successful career, he has received numerous awards and recognitions for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.
In 2012, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, presented by the President of India, Pratibha Patil, for his exceptional contribution to Indian cinema.
He also received the National Film Award in 1990 for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment as the producer of Ghayal under his home banner, Vijayta Films. The film was a major box-office success and remains one of the most acclaimed productions of his career.
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Best Supporting Actor | Ayee Milan Ki Bela | Nominated |
| 1967 | Best Actor | Phool Aur Patthar | Nominated |
| 1972 | Best Actor | Mera Gaon Mera Desh | Nominated |
| 1974 | Best Actor | Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Nominated |
| 1975 | Best Actor | Resham Ki Dori | Nominated |
| 1984 | Best Comedian | Naukar Biwi Ka | Nominated |
| 1984 | Best Film (Producer) | Betaab | Nominated |
| 1991 | Best Film (Producer) | Ghayal | Won |
| 1997 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
Other Awards and Recognitions
- Voted as one of the most handsome men in the world in the mid-1970s.
- Received a Special Award for his contribution to Indian cinema at the Kalakar Awards.
- Honoured with the Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
- 2003 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards.
- 2004 – Honoured for Best Contribution to Indian Cinema.
- 2005 – Zee Cine Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).
- 2007 – IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2007 – Award for Humanitarian Services to the Indian Nation.
- 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award by DBR Entertainment.
- 2007 – Honoured by Punjabi newspaper Quami Ekta for his contribution to Indian cinema.
- 2008 – Named "Actor Par Excellence" at the Max Stardust Awards.
- 2008 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th MAMI International Film Festival.
- 2009 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashik International Film Festival (NIFF).
- 2010 – Big Star Entertainer Award for 50 years of excellence in cinema.
- 2011 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards.
- 2011 – Salaam Maharashtra Award for completing 50 years in the film industry.
- 2011 – ITA Scroll of Honour at the Indian Television Academy Awards.
- 2017 – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award (Mumbai).
- 2020 – Lifetime Achievement Award by the State of New Jersey, United States.