Dharmendra — the evergreen actor of Bollywood celebrates his 88th birthday on December 8. Over the years, the veteran star has entertained us with her impeccable acting prowess and on-screen charm. His movies run on television screens even today which are still thoroughly enjoyed by the masses.
From breathing life into every character to evoking emotions, Bollywood’s “He-man” reined the Hindi film industry back in the 1970s and 1980s. But apart from films and hard-hitting dialogues in them, Dharmendra also made headlines for his love life. On the occasion of the actor turning a day older, let’s wind the clock and take a look at his journey to stardom, illustrious career, and family life.
Journey To Stardom
Interested in films from a very young age, Dharmendra’s first brush with the world of glitz and glam happened when he participated in and won the Filmfare New Talent contest. Post his win, he went to Mumbai to build a career in films.
Film director Arjun Hingorani’s 1960 film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere marked his official debut in Bollywood. After the who’s who of the film industry started recognising his talent, Dharmendra bagged many supporting roles including the 1961 film Boy Friend and other women-oriented films from 1960-1967.
Dharmendra’s potential as an actor was realised six years after his debut when he was roped in as the protagonist in the OP Ralhan directorial Phool Aur Patthar opposite Meena Kumari.
The film not only became a blockbuster in the theaters, but Dharemnendra became an overnight sensation. He slipped into the shoes of an action hero with the 1971 film Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
Over the years, Dharmendra has delivered some cult classic films including Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Raja Jani (1972), Jugnu (1973), Kahani Kismat Ki, and Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973) Sholay (1975), Charas (1976), Azaad(1977) and Dillagi (1978).
Family Life
Dharmendra was married to Prakash Kaur in 1954. The couple shares four children together — Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeta Deol out of whom Sunny and Bobby Deol are actors. But after almost 30 years of marriage, Dharmendra found his “dream girl” who was Hema Malini.
According to reports, he fell in love with the actress during the shoot of the 1970 film Tu Haseen Main Jawaan, and used to spend a lot of time together. After 14 years of courtship, Dharmendra got married to Hema Malini in 1984.
Reports claimed that since his former wife Prakash Kaur refused to grant him a divorce, Dharmendra converted to Islam to marry the love of her life. Dharmendra and Hema Malini share two daughters together — Esha and Ahana Deol.
5 Iconic Movies
- Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970)
- Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)
- Sholay (1975)
- Dream Girl (1977)
- The Burning Train (1980)
5 Famous Dialogues
- Basanti inn kutton ke saamne mat nachna — Sholay
- Tere ghar mein calendar hai? 97 gaur se dekh le, kyun ki 98 tu dekh nahin payega — Loha
- Kabhi zameen se baat ki hai Thakur, ye zameen humari maa hai — Ghulami
- Agar taqdeer mein maut likhi hai toh koi bacha nahi sakta. Agar zindagi likhi hai toh koi mai ka laal maar nahi sakta — Dharam Veer
- Ye duniya bahut buri hai Shaanti. Jo kuch deti hai bura banne ke baad deti hai — Phool Aur Patthar
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