Remembering Dharmendra: A Look Back at Bollywood’s Original He-Man

Dharmendra, whom we all called the original Heman of Bollywood, recently passed away at the age of 89. 

He had been unwell for a while and was undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. 

The rumours of his death had circulated on most of the news platforms, but it received a backlash from his family. 

Hema Malini called it a shameful act and said it is unforgivable. However, now, there is no room for rumours because the Bollywood legend has left us forever.

The actor passed away on Monday, 24th November, just weeks before his 90th birthday. His death came as a shock to his fans and also people from the film fraternity. 

Many celebrities from Bollywood, including Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Shabana Azmi, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sanjay Dutt, came to bid a final goodbye to the veteran actor. 

Besides actors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his death and shared a post saying his death marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.

Well, as it says, legends never die. Dharmendra will still be remembered for his contribution to Indian cinema. 

Today, let's look back at the remarkable journey that made him a Bollywood icon.

Dharmendra: Early Years

Dharmendra was born on December 8, 1935, as Kewal Krishan Deol in Sahnewal village near Ludhiana, Punjab. 

His upbringing was far from the glamorous life of Mumbai (then Bombay). During interviews, he had mentioned his modest beginnings. 

He recalled walking miles to school and dreaming of seeing himself on screen. Despite success, he has never forgotten his rural roots, as he once shared with Filmfare.

Dharmendra’s Complex Marriages, Unbreakable Bonds

Dharmendra was married early to Prakash Kaur in 1954, before making his mark in Indian cinema. 

With her, he had four children, sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeeta. 

He had a second marriage with actress Hema Malini in 1980 after both fell in love with each other. 

It was an ideal Bollywood love story. Dharmendra married her without divorcing his first wife. 

With Hema, he fathered two daughters - Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Despite complexities in his marital life, Dharmendra managed to build a strong bond with both families.

Rise to Stardom: A Talent Contest That Shaped His Filmy Career

Dharmendra's entry into films began when he won a talent contest hosted by Filmfare magazine. He made his debut as an actor in the 1960 film 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere'. 

He began gaining attention with more follow-ups, such as Shola Aur Shabnam in 1961 and Bandini in 1963. 

By the mid-1960s, Dharmendra had become a leading cast with his blend of charming personality and well-built physique. 

Experiencing a rise in success, he became a mainstream part of breakthrough films like 

• Phool Aur Patthar (1966)
• Anupama (1966)
• Satyakam (1969)
• Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971)
• Sholay (1975)
• Chupke Chupke (1975)
• Dream Girl (1977)
• The Burning Train (1980)

Why Dharmendra Was Called ‘Heman of Bollywood’

Dharmendra was called ‘Heman of Bollywood’ due to his ripped physique and muscular persona on-screen. 

Besides shining in romantic genre films, his fans loved him in action-packed roles and liked his strong, punchy dialogue. 

Apart from having the face of a romantic hero, Dharmendra also developed an action-hero image with his high-energy roles in films like Sholay, Dharam Veer, and many other films. 

The trend of showcasing muscular bodies on screen began with him and was later followed by actors such as Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Dutt.

Stepping into the director’s role

At a later stage of his career, Dharmendra took a break from his on-screen presence and stepped into the director’s role. 

In 1983, he founded Vijeta Films, his production company, and went on to produce several notable films. 

These movies were either action-oriented or emotionally driven. 

Under his production company, he launched his elder son, Sunny Deol, as an actor and cast him in Ghayal, one of the best films of Sunny’s career.

Besides Sunny, he also introduced his younger son, Bobby Deol, who made his debut in the 1995 film, Barsaat, opposite Twinkle Khanna, the daughter of late actor Rajesh Khanna. 

Later in 1999, Dharmendra produced Dillagi under his banner. It starred both his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Urmila Matondkar was the leading actress in this movie. 

Conviction With All Types of Roles

Unlike other stars, Dharmendra was never confined to a particular type of role. He portrayed all the characters in the films he was offered. 

Whether it demanded a romantic, comedy, or action-packed role, the actor never failed. 

In Anupama, where he played an introspective writer who wins a reclusive woman’s heart with his silent warmth, in Sholay, he presented a blend of friendship and romance with ease. 

His role as Veeru and his funny act of suicide still make people laugh. Remembering some of his popular dialogues is

‘’Kutte….Kamine……mai tera khoon pee jayunga’’ - Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973)

‘’Basanti inn kutto ke saamne mat naachna’’ - Sholay (1975)

‘’Jinki khood ki nazar kamzor ho, woh doosro pe aarop lagate hai’’ - Dharam Veer (1977)

Sunny Deol Recalling an Incident When Slapped By Papa Dharmendra

Sunny Deol once shared a childhood incident when his father, Dharmendra, taught him a disciplinary lesson. It all happened when Sunny broke a neighbour's windows with a toy shotgun. On learning this, Dharmendra became very upset and slapped Sunny, leaving two fingers imprinted on his cheeks. 

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Final words

Dharmendra was a legend who never let success go to his head. He always remained humble and down-to-earth for his well-wishers. He was very active on social media, showcasing organic farming and offering tips on healthy well-being to his fans. Dharmendra may not be with us, but his legacy will always remain in the hearts of his fans. 

FAQs

Q: How many movies did Dharmendra make?

A: Dharmendra acted in around 300 films, proving himself as a prolific gem of Indian cinema. 

Q: What was his blog buster movie?

A: Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke, The Burning Train, and Ankhein are some of the noted films of Dharmendra that are a must-watch.

Q: Which was his first movie?

A: Dharmendra made his debut in the 1960 film 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere'. He starred opposite Kumkum.

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