Dharmendra facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dharmendra
Dharmendra in 2012
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office 13 May 2004 – 16 May 2009
Preceded by	Rameshwar Lal Dudi
Succeeded by	Arjun Ram Meghwal
Constituency	Bikaner
Personal details
Born	Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (1935-12-08) 8 December 1935 (age 89) Nasrali, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, India)
Nationality	British Indian (1935–1947) Indian (1947–present)
Political party	Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouses	Prakash Kaur ​ (m. 1954)​ Hema Malini ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	6; (including Sunny, Bobby and Esha)
Relatives	See Deol family
Alma mater	Ramgarhia College, Phagwara Panjab University, Chandigarh
Occupation	Actor politician
Awards	Padma Bhushan (2012)
Signature
Nicknames	He-Man Garam Dharam

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (born 8 December 1935), known simply as Dharmendra, is a famous Indian actor, producer, and politician. He is best known for his work in Hindi films. People call him the "He-Man" of Bollywood because of his strong roles. Many consider him one of the greatest and most handsome actors in Indian cinema history.

In 2012, he received the Padma Bhushan award. This is India's third-highest award for civilians, given by the Government of India. Dharmendra has acted in over 200 films during a career that has lasted more than sixty years. He has had many hit films, more than other famous actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. In 1987, he even had seven hit films in one year!

Dharmendra started his acting journey in 1960 with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He became popular in the mid-1960s with movies like Ayee Milan Ki Bela and Phool Aur Patthar. Later, he became a big star, known as India's "Garam Dharam" for his energetic roles. He starred in many successful films from the late 1960s to the 1980s. Some of his most famous movies include Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Chupke Chupke.

Since the late 1990s, he has taken on "character roles," which are supporting parts. He appeared in popular films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his amazing work in Bollywood. He also served as a Member of Parliament for the Bikaner area in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009.

About Dharmendra

His Early Life and Family

Dharmendra with his father

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born on 8 December 1935. His birthplace was a village called Nasrali in Punjab, which was part of British India at the time. He grew up in a Punjabi family with his parents, Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur.

He spent his early years in the village of Sahnewal. He studied at a government school in Lalton Kalan, where his father was the headmaster. He finished his schooling in Phagwara in 1952.

Dharmendra with his sons, Bobby (left) and Sunny Deol (right)

Dharmendra first married Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was 19. They had two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who are also successful actors. They also have two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta.

Later, after moving to Mumbai and starting his film career, Dharmendra married Hema Malini. They starred together in many movies, including the superhit Sholay. They have two daughters, Esha Deol (an actress) and Ahana Deol (an assistant director). Dharmendra's grandsons, Karan Deol and Rajveer Deol, have also become actors.

Dharmendra now mostly lives at his farmhouse in Lonavala. His family lives in Juhu, Mumbai.

His Acting Journey

Starting in Films (1960s)

Dharmendra won a talent award from Filmfare magazine. He moved to Mumbai to start his film career. His first film was Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. It didn't become very popular. His first big success was in 1961 with Shola Aur Shabnam. He then acted in acclaimed films like Anpadh (1962) and Bandini (1963).

In 1964, he became widely known after starring in Ayee Milan Ki Bela. Even though he played a negative role, people noticed him. That same year, he starred in the war film Haqeeqat. This film was a big success and had a very popular song. In 1965, he had another hit with Kaajal.

In 1966, his film Phool Aur Patthar became a huge blockbuster. This made him a very popular star. He was even nominated for a Best Actor award for this film. He continued to have hits like Mamta and Anupama. In 1968, he starred in two blockbusters, Shikar and Ankhen. He also played a double role in Izzat. In 1969, he had another superhit with Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke. He also earned great praise for his role in Satyakam, which many consider his best performance.

Becoming a Superstar (1970s)

The 1970s were a great time for Dharmendra. In 1970, he had four major successes. He also formed a popular acting pair with Hema Malini. Their films Tum Haseen Main Jawan and Sharafat were superhits. In 1971, he starred in the action film Mera Gaon Mera Desh. This film was a huge success and helped establish him as an action hero.

In 1972, he continued his success with blockbusters like Seeta Aur Geeta and Raja Jani. These back-to-back hits made Dharmendra a true superstar. The year 1973 was one of his best. His film Loafer was a superhit with popular songs. He also starred in Jugnu, which was a blockbuster in India and the Soviet Union. Later that 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 also a huge hit.

In 1975, Dharmendra starred with Amitabh Bachchan in two films. One was the comedy Chupke Chupke, which was a hit. The second was the action film Sholay. Sholay was not very popular at first, but it became a massive success through word-of-mouth. It is one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever and played in cinemas for many years.

Dharmendra and Bachchan in 2016. Their film Sholay (1975) is one of the most watched Indian films ever.

Before 1975 ended, he had another blockbuster with Pratiggya. In 1976, his film Charas was a superhit. The year 1977 was also big for him. He starred in the mega blockbuster Dharam Veer and the superhit Chacha Bhatija.

Later Career (1980s-Present)

After 1977, Dharmendra continued to have many successful films, even though the quality of some movies changed. In 1978 and 1979, he had superhits like Azaad and Kartavya.

In the 1980s, he starred in films like The Burning Train and Ram Balram (with Amitabh Bachchan). In 1982, five of his films were successful, including Rajput and Badle Ki Aag. In 1985, he starred in the action drama Ghulami, which was a superhit. In 1987, he had an amazing year with eight successful films. Hukumat was the highest-grossing film of that year.

In the 1990s, Dharmendra's popularity as a lead actor started to slow down. His last big hit as a main actor was Tahalka in 1992. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. When he accepted the award, he became emotional. He said he had never won the Best Actor award, even after so many successful films.

Since the late 1990s, Dharmendra has mostly played supporting roles. His first film in such a role was Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), which was a superhit. In 2007, he returned with three films: Life in a... Metro, Apne, and Johnny Gaddaar. Life in a... Metro and Apne were both successful.

In 2011, he starred in Yamla Pagla Deewana, which was a box office hit. He also appeared in its sequels, but they were not as successful. In 2023, he was in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which was a hit film worldwide. In 2024, he co-starred in the romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which was also a commercial success.

Working with Others

Dharmendra had a very successful acting partnership with Hema Malini, who later became his wife. They starred in many films together, including Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Sharafat, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, and Azaad.

He also worked with many different directors. He collaborated often with director Arjun Hingorani from 1960 to 1991. They made films like Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?. He also worked with director Pramod Chakravorty on films like Jugnu and Dream Girl. Anil Sharma directed him in many films, including Hukumat and Apne.

Films in Other Languages

Dharmendra has also acted in films in other languages. In 1966, he appeared in the Bengali film Paari.

He has also acted in films in his native Punjabi. Some of these include Kankan De Ohle (1970), Putt Jattan De (1982), and Double Di Trouble (2014).

Other Works

Political Career

Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament). He represented the Bikaner area in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009. He was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Television Appearances

Dharmendra at an event in 2011

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 in a television series. He played Salim Chisti in the historical show 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 film was Betaab, which launched his elder son, Sunny Deol, as a lead actor. This film was very successful. In 1990, he produced the action film Ghayal, also starring Sunny Deol. This film won many awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

In 1995, he launched the career of his younger son, Bobby, with the film Barsaat. This film was also a super hit. He also presented his films like Satyakam (1969) and Kab Kyun Aur Kahan (1970).

His Legacy

Dharmendra is seen as one of the most important people in Indian cinema. In his early career, he was considered one of the most handsome men in the world. He is still known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood. In 2022, Outlook India listed him among the "75 Best Bollywood Actors." Rediff.com placed him 10th on its "Top 10 Bollywood Actors of All Time" list.

His most famous acting roles include Satyakam and Sholay. Sholay is listed as one of the "top 25 must-see Bollywood films of all time." In 2005, Sholay received a special award as the Filmfare Best Film of 50 years.

When Dilip Kumar gave Dharmendra the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, he joked, "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. He topped the "Top Actors" list four times between 1972 and 1975.

Dharmendra holds the record for the highest number of hit films in a Bollywood actor's career. He also holds the record for having the most hit films in a single year, with seven consecutive hits in 1987. These achievements make him one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.

Awards and Honours

Civilian Award

President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Dharmendra in 2012

• 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

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 Indian entertainment.
• In 2003, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards.
• In 2004, he was honored for his 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 at Mumbai.

Dharmendra being awarded the Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award in 2017

• 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