Dharmendra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dharmendra
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Dharmendra in 2012
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| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 13 May 2004 – 16 May 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Rameshwar Lal Dudi |
| Succeeded by | Arjun Ram Meghwal |
| Constituency | Bikaner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol
8 December 1935 Nasrali, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, India) |
| Citizenship | British Indian (1935–1947) Indian (1947–present) |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 6; (including Sunny, Bobby and Esha) |
| Relatives | See Deol family |
| Alma mater | Ramgarhia College, Phagwara Panjab University, Chandigarh |
| Occupation |
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| Awards | Padma Bhushan (2012) |
| Signature |  |
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Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, born on December 8, 1935, is a famous Indian actor, producer, and politician. He is best known for his work in Hindi films. Many people consider Dharmendra one of the most popular and successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is often called the "He-Man" of Bollywood because of his strong and heroic roles.
Dharmendra's acting career has lasted for over sixty years. He has appeared in more than 300 films. He holds a special record for starring in the most hit films in Hindi cinema. In 1987, he had seven successful movies in just one year, which is still a record. For his amazing contributions, he received the Padma Bhushan in 2012. This is one of India's highest civilian awards.
Dharmendra started his acting journey in 1960 with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He became very popular in the mid-1960s with movies like Ayee Milan Ki Bela and Phool Aur Patthar. He continued to star in many successful films from the late 1960s to the 1980s. Some of his most famous movies include Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Dharam Veer. He also gave acclaimed performances in films like Satyakam and Chupke Chupke.
Since the late 1990s, Dharmendra has taken on different kinds of roles, often playing older characters. He appeared in successful films such as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a... Metro, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In 1995, he produced Barsaat to help his son Bobby Deol start his acting career. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and successful career in Bollywood. He also served as a Member of Parliament for the Bikaner area in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party.
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Early Life and Family
Dharmendra was born on December 8, 1935, in a village called Nasrali in Punjab, which was part of British India at the time. His parents were Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur. His family was Punjabi and belonged to the Jat community. His ancestral village is Dangon, near Raikot.
He spent his early years in the village of Sahnewal. He went to Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, where his father was the headmaster. He finished his schooling in Phagwara in 1952.
Dharmendra first married Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was 19 years old, before he became an actor. They have two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who are both successful actors. They also have two daughters, Vijeta and Ajeeta.
Later, after moving to Bombay and starting his film career, Dharmendra married Hema Malini. This caused some discussion because he was already married. He and Hema Malini starred in many movies together, including the very famous film Sholay. They have two daughters, Esha Deol (an actress, born in 1981) and Ahana Deol (born in 1985). His grandson, Bobby Deol's son, is named "Dharam" after him.
Dharmendra now mostly lives at his farmhouse in Lonavala. His family lives in Juhu, Mumbai. In 2023, Dharmendra shared that he felt the film industry had not always recognized his family's contributions to Indian cinema.
Career Highlights
1960s: Starting Out and Becoming Known
Dharmendra won a talent award from Filmfare magazine, which brought him to Mumbai to work in movies. He made his first film appearance in 1960 in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. This film didn't become very popular. His first big success came in 1961 with Shola Aur Shabnam. He then had more hits like Anpadh (1962) and Bandini (1963).
His career really took off in 1964 when he acted in Ayee Milan Ki Bela. Even though he played a negative role, people noticed him. That same year, he starred in the war-drama Haqeeqat, which was a big success. In 1965, he had another hit with Kaajal.
In 1966, Dharmendra starred in Phool Aur Patthar, which was the top-earning film that year and made him a big star. He received his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for this film. He continued to have successful movies like Mamta and Aaye Din Bahar Ke. In 1968, he had blockbusters with Shikar and Ankhen. In 1969, he starred in the superhit Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke. He also earned great praise for his role in Satyakam, which many consider his best performance.
1970s: Becoming a Superstar
The 1970s were a very successful time for Dharmendra. He often worked with Hema Malini, and they became a popular on-screen couple. In 1970, his film Jeevan Mrityu was a big hit. His movies Tum Haseen Main Jawan and Sharafat, both with Hema Malini, were also very successful.
In 1971, Dharmendra starred in Mera Gaon Mera Desh, which was a huge blockbuster. This film helped establish him as an action hero. His success continued in 1972 with the massive hit Seeta Aur Geeta and other successful films like Raja Jani. These successes made Dharmendra one of the top actors of his time, earning him the title of "superstar."
1973 was an excellent year for Dharmendra. His film Loafer was a superhit, and its songs became very popular. He also starred in Jugnu, which was a blockbuster in India and even in the Soviet Union. Towards the end of the year, he appeared in Yaadon Ki Baaraat, which is considered one of the first "masala films" (a mix of different genres) in Indian cinema. This film was another blockbuster for him.
In 1974, Dharmendra had another blockbuster with Dost. In 1975, he appeared in two films with Amitabh Bachchan. One was the comedy Chupke Chupke, which was a hit. The second was Sholay, released on August 15, 1975. Sholay started slowly but became an "overnight sensation" due to positive word-of-mouth. It became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1975 and is considered an "All Time Blockbuster." Sholay holds records for its long run in theaters and is one of the most-watched Indian films ever.
Before 1975 ended, he had another blockbuster with Pratiggya, known for its action and comedy. In 1976, he starred in the action thriller Charas, which was a superhit. The year 1977 was also big for Dharmendra with the mega blockbuster Dharam Veer and the superhit Chacha Bhatija.
1978-1997: Continued Success and New Roles
After 1977, Dharmendra continued to have many successful films, even though the quality of some movies changed. In 1978, his films Azaad and Dillagi were successful. In 1979, Kartavya was a superhit.
In the 1980s, Dharmendra started the decade with The Burning Train. He reunited with Amitabh Bachchan in Ram Balram, which was a hit. In 1981, Kaatilon Ke Kaatil was a superhit. In 1982, five of his films were successful, including Rajput and Ghazab.
In 1983, he had a hit with the comedy Naukar Biwi Ka. In 1985, Dharmendra starred in Ghulami, which was a superhit and received positive reviews. In 1987, he had a remarkable year with eight successful films. Hukumat and Aag Hi Aag became superhits, with Hukumat being the highest-grossing film of that year. Other big hits of the decade included Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988) and Elaan-E-Jung (1989).
As the 1990s began, Dharmendra's lead roles became less frequent. However, he still had successful films like Tahalka (1992), which was his last hit as a main actor. In 1993, he appeared in Kshatriya, a film with many stars. In 1997, Dharmendra received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. When accepting the award, he became emotional, noting he had never won the Best Actor award despite his many popular films.
1998-Present: Character Roles and Recent Work
Since the late 1990s, Dharmendra has mostly taken on "character roles," which are supporting parts rather than the main hero. His first film in such a role was the romantic comedy Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), which was a superhit.
After a short break, Dharmendra returned to films in 2007 with three movies: Life in a... Metro, Apne, and Johnny Gaddaar. Both Life in a... Metro and Apne were successful. In 2011, he starred in Yamla Pagla Deewana, which was a box office hit. He also appeared in its sequels, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013) and Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se (2018).
In 2023, he appeared in the family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which was a hit and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year. In 2024, Dharmendra co-starred in the romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which was also a commercial success.
Working with Others
Dharmendra's most famous on-screen partnership was with Hema Malini, whom he later married. They acted together in many films, including Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Sharafat, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, and Azaad.
He also worked with many different directors. His longest collaboration was with director Arjun Hingorani, from 1960 to 1991. They worked on films like Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?. He also frequently worked with directors like Pramod Chakravorty and Anil Sharma.
Films in Other Languages
Early in his career, Dharmendra acted in a Bengali film called Paari (1966).
He has also appeared in films in his native Punjabi. Some of these include Kankan De Ohle (1970), Putt Jattan De (1982), and Qurbani Jatt Di (1990). He returned to Punjabi cinema in 2014 with the film Double Di Trouble.
Other Activities
Political Career
Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha (one of India's main government bodies) from 2004 to 2009. He represented the Bikaner area in Rajasthan for the Bharatiya Janata Party. During his time in politics, he was sometimes criticized for not attending Parliament sessions very often, as he preferred to spend time on his films or at his farmhouse.
Television Appearances
In 2011, Dharmendra became a judge on the popular reality show India's Got Talent on Colors TV. The show's ratings increased with him as a judge.
In 2023, he took on his first acting role on television. He played Salim Chisti in the historical series Taj: Divided by Blood, which is available on ZEE5.
Producing Films
In 1983, Dharmendra started his own film production company called Vijayta Films. Their first movie, Betaab, launched his elder son Sunny Deol as the main actor. This film was the second highest-grossing film of that year. In 1990, he produced Ghayal, also starring Sunny, which won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
In 1995, he helped launch the career of his younger son, Bobby, with the film Barsaat, which was also a super hit. He also presented his films like Satyakam (1969).
Legacy and Recognition
Dharmendra is seen as one of the most important figures in Indian cinema. He was considered one of the most handsome men in the world early in his career and is widely known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood. In 2022, Outlook India included him in their list of "75 Best Bollywood Actors." Rediff.com placed him among the "Top 10 Bollywood Actors of All Time."
His performances in films like Satyakam and Sholay are especially remembered. Sholay is listed by Indiatimes as one of the "top 25 must-see Bollywood films of all time." In 2005, Sholay received a special award at the 50th Filmfare Awards as the "Best Film of 50 years."
When Dilip Kumar presented Dharmendra with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, he famously said, "Whenever I get to meet with God Almighty, I will set before him my only complaint—why did you not make me as handsome as Dharmendra?" Dharmendra was one of the most successful actors of the 1970s and 1980s, often topping the "Top Actors" list.
He holds the record for having the most hit films by an actor in Hindi cinema. In 1987, he had seven consecutive hit films in one year, a record that still stands.
Accolades and Honours
Civilian Award
- 2012 – Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour from the Government of India
National Film Awards
- 1990 – Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – Ghayal
Filmfare Awards
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Best Supporting Actor | Ayee Milan Ki Bela | Nominated |
| 1967 | Best Actor | Phool Aur Patthar | Nominated |
| 1972 | Mera Gaon Mera Desh | Nominated | |
| 1974 | Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Nominated | |
| 1975 | Resham Ki Dori | Nominated | |
| 1984 | Best Comedian | Naukar Biwi Ka | Nominated |
| Best Film | Betaab | Nominated | |
| 1991 | Best Film | Ghayal | Won |
| 1997 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Won |
Other Awards and Recognitions
- In the mid-1970s, Dharmendra was voted one of the most handsome men in the world.
- He received a Special Award for his "contribution in Indian Cinema" at the Kalakar Awards.
- He received the "Living Legend Award" from FICCI for his great work in the Indian entertainment industry.
- In 2003, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards.
- In 2004, he was honored for Best Contribution to Indian Cinema.
- In 2005, he received the Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement.
- In 2007, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).
- In 2007, he received an IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2007, he received an award for Humanitarian Services to the Indian Nation.
- In 2007, the Punjabi newspaper Quami Ekta honored him for his contributions to Indian cinema.
- In 2008, he was named "Actor Par Excellence" at the Max Stardust Awards.
- In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image (MAMI) International Film Festival.
- In 2009, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nashik International Film Festival (NIFF).
- In 2010, he was honored as the Big Star Entertainer for his fifty years of excellence at the BIG Star Entertainment Awards.
- In 2011, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Award.
- In 2011, he received a "Salaam Maharashtra Award" for completing 50 years in the film industry.
- In 2011, he was honored with "The ITA Scroll Of Honour" at the Indian Television Academy Awards.
- In 2017, he was honored with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel award in Mumbai.
- In 2020, he was honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the state of New Jersey in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Dharmendra para niños
