Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (born 8 December 1935), better known mononymously as Dharmendra, is an Indian actor, producer and politician who is primarily known for his work in Hindi films, as well as in a few Punjabi films. Sometimes nicknamed the He-Man of Bollywood, Dharmendra is widely regarded to be amongst the most handsome Indian actors of his time. He received the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour, from the Government of India in 2012. Dharmendra has worked in over 300 films in a career spanning over six decades, He is considered one of the most successful actors in the history of Hindi Cinema.
After making debut in a small film, he first gained popularity in the mid 1960s for films such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Kaajal, Phool Aur Patthar, Aaye Din Bahar Ke among others. He then achieved greater stardom in later years, dubbed India's Garam Dharam for several of his on-screen roles in Hindi films. He consistently starred in top grossing Hindi films since late 1960s to 80s, such as Aankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Sharafat, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Samadhi, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Kahani Kismat Ki, Loafer, Dost, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ram Balram, Kaatilon Ke Kaatil, Ghazab, Naukar Biwi Ka, Ghulami, Hukumat, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Loha, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung and Tahalka. He earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of a prison doctor in Bandini, a soldier in Haqeeqat, a writer in Anupama, a righteous man in Satyakam and a professor in Chupke Chupke.
Since late 1990s, he began to appear in character roles in several successful and acclaimed films such as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a... Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Bollywood. He was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2012, he was awarded India's third-highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
Early and personal life
Dharmendra was born as Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol in Sahnewal, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab, British India on 8 December 1935 to Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur into a Punjabi Jat family. His ancestral village is Dangon, near Pakhowal Tehsil Raikot, Ludhiana.
He spent his early life in the village of Sahnewal and studied at Government Senior Secondary School at Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, where his father was the village school headmaster. He did his matriculation in Phagwara in 1952. In those days schools of Punjab came under Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Dharmendra's first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954, when he had not entered films. He had two sons from this marriage, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, both successful film actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta. His nephew Abhay Deol is also an actor.
After moving to Bombay and getting into the film business, Dharmendra married Hema Malini, which was mired with controversies at that time, with rumours about Dharmendra and Hema Malini converting to Islam for this marriage, a fact which has been denied by both since then. He and Malini starred together in a number of movies in the early 1970s, including Sholay. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol (an actress, born in 1981) and Ahana Deol (an assistant director, born in 1985).
His grandson, Bobby Deol's son, is also named "Dharam", after him.
In 2019, Dharmendra's grandson, Sunny Deol's elder son, Karan Deol, made his debut as an actor with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, which was directed by Sunny Deol himself. In 2023, Sunny Deol's younger son, Rajveer Deol, will be making his debut as an actor with Dono, directed by Avnish R. Barjatya, Sooraj R. Barjatya's son.
Dharmendra have a farmhouse in Lonavala hill station, while his sons and wives live in Juhu, Mumbai, he lives in the farmhouse.
In 2023, he expressed that, Bollywood neglected his family and never appreciated his family's contribution to the Cinema.
Career
Dharmendra was the winner of Filmfare magazine's nationally organised new talent award and went to Mumbai from Punjab, to work in the movie promised, being the award winner, but the movie was never made. He later made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. He had a supporting role in the film Boy Friend in 1961, and was cast as the romantic interest in several films between 1960 and 1967.