Dharmendra is an Indian actor, film producer, and former politician. He is the “Action-King” and “He-Man” of Bollywood. Dharmendra is one of the versatile actors in the Bollywood industry and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honor by the Government of India. Let’s delve into the professional and personal life of the actor.
Biography/Wiki
Dharmendra was born Dharam Singh Deol on 8 December 1935 (age 82 years; as of 2018) in the village of Nasrali Khanna tehsil in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He spent his early childhood in the village, Sahnewal. As a child, Dharmendra was very reluctant to go to school and often troubled his mother while going to school. He completed his secondary school education from Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, Punjab and went to RG Intermediate College (Ramgarhia) Phagwara, to continue his senior secondary education. Due to lack of interest in studies, Dharmendra left his studies only after completing 12th standard.
He started developing an interest in films from a very young age and often shared his fascination with his mother. He is a huge fan of the actress, ‘Suraiya’ and walks miles to watch her film Dillagi. Dharmendra has watched the film almost 40 times. One day, his mother saw an advertisement of a film in Filmfare by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt and advised him to join it. Dharmendra then went to Malerkotla to get his portfolio completed by Jaan Mohammed (John & Sons) and sent an application for participation. He won the ‘New Talent Hunt Award’ by Filmfare Magazine and moved to Mumbai in search of work.
Dharmendra in his youth
Physical appearance
The brown-eyed actress is around 5′ 8” tall and weighs around 75 kg.
Family & Caste
Hailing from Ludhiana, Dharmendra was born into a Jat Sikh Family. He is the son of Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, a government school teacher and Satwant Kaur. Dharmendra has a brother named Ajit Singh Deol.
Dharmendra with his parents
Dharmendra with his brother
In 1954, she married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19. The couple has two sons, Sunny Deol (Ajay Singh Deol) and Bobby Deol (Vijay Singh Deol) and two daughters, Vijeeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol.
Dharmendra with wife Prakash Kaur
Dharmendra with Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol
Dharmendra with his daughter and son Bobby
Dharmendra With Sunny Deol
In the 1960s, Dharmendra was allegedly romantically linked with actress Meena Kumari. It is even said that he helped Dharmendra to become Bollywood A-listers.
Dharmendra with Meena Kumari
In the 1970s, Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini, during the shooting of the film, ‘Sholay.’ It happened that Dharmendra bribed the light boys to disturb the lights when there was an intimate scene to get as much as possible. However, the love was 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. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Dharmendra with his second wife-Hema Malini
Dharmendra with wife Hema and daughters Esha & Ahana
Ahana Deol and Esha Deol
Career
Dharmendra marked his film debut with Arjun Hingorani, “Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere” in 1960. He earned Rs. 51 for this film. Next, he played a supporting role in the film, ‘Boy Friend’ in 1961. Dharmendra usually starred as a romantic hero in his early career from 1960 to 1966.
In 1966, Dharmendra appeared as the solo hero in Phool Aur Patthar. The film went on to become the highest grossing film of 1966 and catapulted Dharmendra to greater heights of fame and glory. Dharmendra also received his first Filmfare nomination in the Best Actor category for this film. Dharmendra who was earlier portrayed as a romantic hero started playing roles in films from 1974 onwards.
From the beginning of his journey, he got the opportunity to work with some famous actors of his time. He starred opposite Nutan in Bandini (1963) and Soorat Aur Seerat (1962). Dharmendra successfully teamed with 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). ). ).
Dharmendra also paired with Hema Malini and gave hits like ‘Raja Jani’, ‘Sharafat,’ ‘Seeta Aur Geeta,’Charas,’ ‘Maa,’ ‘Sholay,’ and ‘Azaad.’ In fact, they formed the most successful on-screen pairing of that time. His notable performances include Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Satyakam’ and Ramesh Sippy’s action-packed adventure ‘Sholay.’ ‘Sholay’ became one of the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema and was listed by India as one of the “top 25 must-see Bollywood films of all time.”
Apart from Bollywood, Dharmendra also appeared in several Punjabi Movies. He made his debut in Punjabi cinema with “Kankan De Ohle (1970)”.
As a producer, he launched both his sons in the industry. He got Sunny Deol in Bollywood with his first release (as a producer) Betaab in 1983. He also launched his son, Bobby, in Barsaat in 1995.
Apart from Bollywood, Dharmendra is also active in politics. He is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan on behalf of the BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party).
Controversy
- 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 to marry his love, Hema Malini. His actions were heavily criticized by the media.
- The actor also faced criticism for making an ironic statement that he should be elected as ‘Director Perpetuo’ to teach basic manners required by democracy, during the 2004 election campaign.
- He was also slammed by the media for his neglected presence in Parliament.
- When asked by reporters about the absence of his sons Bobby and Sunny at Esha Deol’s wedding reception, Dharmendra lost his temper and reacted in a strange way. He made a strange noise and replied; “Aap bakwaas mat kijiye.”
Award
- In 1991, Dharmendra was awarded the National Film Award for “Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment” for the film, Ghayal (Producer).
- Dharmendra won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian Cinema.
- In 2007, he received the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Dharmendra was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 2012.
Dharmendra awarded the Padma Bhushan
Assets/Property
Dharmendra owns an agricultural land worth more than ₹88 Lakh, a Non-agricultural land worth more than ₹52 Lakh and a building in Mumbai worth more than ₹17 Crore.
Car Collection
Dharmendra has a collection of Range Rover, Mercedes Benz S-Class and a Vintage car.
Net worth
He has a Net Worth of around ₹23 Crore (as on 2014).
Favorite Things
- Dharmendra’s hobbies are cycling, travelling, and watching movies.
- His favorite film of all time was Dillagi (1949).
- He is a big fan of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar.
Dharmendra with Lata Mangeshkar
- Suraiya and Nutan top the list of his favorite actors.
- Her favorite actors are Guru Dutt and Dilip Kumar.
- Arjun Hingorani is his favorite director.
Dharmendra with Arjun Hingorani
Facts
- Dharmendra takes alcohol occasionally.
- Dharmendra follows a Non-Vegetarian food habit.
- His residence is at Plot No. 22, 111th Road, Juhu, Mumbai, India.
Dharmendra’s residence in Mumbai
- He is often called the ‘Garam Dharam’ of Bollywood. In fact, a chain of restaurants named ‘Garam Dharam’ has been opened in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh as a tribute to Dharmendra and his timeless films. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the actor’s famous dialogue.
Garam Dharam Restaurant in Delhi
- She is the only actor to share the screen with all members of the Kapoor family barring Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor.
- In 1975, during the shooting of the film ‘Pratigya’, the choreographer of the song ‘Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana’ got annoyed teaching Dharmendra the right dance steps. The actress then decided to go with her own flow and dance with her unique natural style.
- Veteran actor Dilip Kumar hailed Dharmendra as the most handsome man he had ever seen.
Dharmendra with Dilip Kumar
- During the shooting of Sholay, when Amitabh Bachchan was still a newcomer in the industry, Dharmendra struck up a good relationship with him and the pair redefined friendship in Bollywood.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
