Dharmendra Wiki, Wiki, Bio, Networth, Partner, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Dharmendra

Dharmendra, born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, is a legendary Indian actor, producer, and politician who has left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, he is affectionately known as the “He-Man” of Bollywood for his robust physique and charismatic on-screen presence. With a career spanning over six decades, Dharmendra has starred in more than 300 films, showcasing his versatility across various genres, from romantic comedies to action-packed blockbusters. His enduring popularity and significant contributions to the film industry were recognized with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in 2012. Beyond his cinematic achievements, he also served a term as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.

Dharmendra Overview

Early Life and Education of Dharmendra

Dharmendra was born as Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in the village of Nasrali in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, British India. He was born into a Punjabi Jat family to Kewal Krishan Deol, a school headmaster, and Satwant Kaur. His ancestral village is Dangon, near Pakhowal in the Raikot tehsil of Ludhiana. Dharmendra spent his early years in the village of Sahnewal and received his initial education at the Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, where his father served as the headmaster. He completed his matriculation in Phagwara in 1952. For his intermediate education, he attended Ramgarhia College in Phagwara. From a young age, Dharmendra harbored a dream of becoming an actor, a passion that would eventually lead him to the city of dreams, Mumbai.

Dharmendra’s Career

Dharmendra’s journey into the film industry began after he won the Filmfare magazine’s nationally organized new talent award, which brought him to Mumbai. He made his acting debut in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere,” for which he was reportedly paid a meager sum of Rs 51. The film, however, did not achieve significant success. His breakthrough came with the 1966 film “Phool Aur Patthar,” which was the highest-grossing film of that year and established him as a prominent star. This role earned him his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Dharmendra solidified his position as a leading man with a string of successful films. He showcased his versatility by excelling in a variety of roles. He delivered critically acclaimed performances in dramas like “Satyakam” (1969), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, which is often regarded as one of his finest performances. He also demonstrated his comedic timing in classics like “Chupke Chupke” (1975), another Hrishikesh Mukherjee directorial. His on-screen pairing with Hema Malini was particularly successful, and they starred in numerous hits together, including “Seeta Aur Geeta” (1972), “Sholay” (1975), and “Dream Girl” (1977).

The 1970s saw the rise of his “He-Man” persona with action-packed films like “Mera Gaon Mera Desh” (1971), “Yaadon Ki Baaraat” (1973), and “Dharam Veer” (1977). The iconic film “Sholay” (1975), where he played the memorable character of Veeru alongside Amitabh Bachchan, remains a landmark in Indian cinema. He continued his successful run into the 1980s with blockbusters like “The Burning Train” (1980), “Hukumat” (1987), and “Ghulami” (1985).

In 1983, Dharmendra ventured into production, establishing his own company called Vijayta Films. The production house’s first venture, “Betaab” (1983), served as a launchpad for his elder son, Sunny Deol, and was a major box office success. He later produced the critically and commercially successful “Ghayal” (1990), also starring Sunny Deol, which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

In the later stages of his career, Dharmendra transitioned into character roles, delivering noteworthy performances in films like “Life in a… Metro” (2007), “Johnny Gaddaar” (2007), and more recently in “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” (2023). He also entered the political arena, serving as a Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009. However, his political career was met with criticism for his infrequent attendance in Parliament.

Dharmendra Personal Life & Family

Dharmendra’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional one. He married Parkash Kaur in 1954 at the age of 19, before he entered the film industry. From his first marriage, he has four children: two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who have both become successful actors, and two daughters, Ajeeta and Vijeta, who are settled in California, USA.

While working in films, Dharmendra fell in love with his frequent co-star, Hema Malini. Their relationship became a topic of much discussion as he was already married. In 1980, Dharmendra married Hema Malini. There were reports and controversies suggesting that they converted to Islam to facilitate the marriage, as Hindu law prohibits bigamy, though Dharmendra has asserted that he remains a Hindu. With Hema Malini, he has two daughters, Esha Deol, an actress, and Ahana Deol. Dharmendra maintains both his families and, as of recent reports, lives at his farmhouse in Lonavala.

Awards and Achievements of Dharmendra

• Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor (2012)
• National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for “Ghayal” (as producer) (1990)
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1997)
• IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
• Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement (2005)
• Sansui Viewers’ Choice Movie Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award (2003)
• Living Legend Award by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

Dharmendra Net Worth and Income

As of recent estimates, Dharmendra’s net worth is approximately $60 million, which translates to around 450 crore Indian Rupees. His wealth is a testament to his long and successful career in the film industry, spanning over six decades. His primary sources of income have been his earnings from acting in over 300 films and his ventures as a film producer under his banner, Vijayta Films. In addition to his cinematic pursuits, Dharmendra has made astute investments in the hospitality sector. He owns a restaurant named Garam Dharam Dhaba and another establishment called He-Man on the Karnal Highway. He also possesses a sprawling 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, which is one of his prized assets, and has made significant investments in real estate in Mumbai.

Legacy and Influence

Dharmendra’s legacy in Indian cinema is monumental. He is celebrated as one of the first “action heroes” of Bollywood, earning the monikers “He-Man” and “Action King.” His charismatic screen presence, combined with his ability to portray a wide range of emotions, made him a superstar who appealed to a broad audience. He holds a remarkable record for starring in a high number of hit films. In 1987, he delivered seven consecutive hits, a record that remains unbroken. His on-screen persona has inspired many subsequent actors, including Salman Khan, who has publicly expressed his admiration for the veteran star. The legendary actor Dilip Kumar once famously remarked that his only complaint to God would be, “why did you not make me as handsome as Dharmendra?”. Beyond his acting prowess, his production company, Vijayta Films, has contributed significantly to the industry by launching the careers of his sons.

Interesting Facts about Dharmendra

• Dharmendra was a huge fan of actress Suraiya and reportedly watched her film “Dillagi” 40 times.
• He won the Filmfare magazine’s New Talent Award which led to his journey to Mumbai.
• For his debut film, “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere,” he was paid only Rs 51.
• During the filming of the iconic movie “Sholay,” he reportedly paid light boys to disrupt scenes with Hema Malini so he could have more takes and spend more time with her.
• To marry Hema Malini while still being married to Parkash Kaur, it is widely reported that he converted to Islam.
• In the mid-seventies, he was voted one of the most handsome men in the world.
• He is the only actor to have starred with almost all members of the Kapoor family, with the exception of Prithviraj Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

Controversies

Dharmendra’s life has not been without its share of controversies. His second marriage to Hema Malini in 1980, while he was still married to his first wife Parkash Kaur, was highly controversial. To make the marriage legally possible without divorcing his first wife, it was widely reported that both he and Hema Malini converted to Islam, adopting the names Dilawar Khan and Aisha Bi. This issue resurfaced during his political campaign in 2004, where allegations were made about him not disclosing his post-conversion details on nomination documents. Dharmendra, however, has maintained that he is a Hindu. His political career also drew criticism for his infrequent attendance in the Parliament, with many accusing him of prioritizing his film career and personal interests over his duties as an elected representative. During his election campaign in 2004, he made a controversial remark about wanting to be elected a “dictator perpetuo” to teach “basic etiquette,” which was met with severe criticism.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Not publicly available
• Twitter – Not publicly available
• YouTube – Not publicly available

Final Words about Dharmendra

At 90 years of age, Dharmendra remains an active and revered figure in the Indian entertainment industry. Though he spends a significant amount of his time at his Lonavala farmhouse, he has not retired from acting. He continues to grace the silver screen with appearances in recent films and has upcoming projects, demonstrating his enduring passion for cinema. His recent hospitalization raised concerns among his fans, but he has been reported to be recovering well. Dharmendra’s legacy is that of a trailblazer who redefined heroism in Hindi films and created a dynasty with his talented children carrying his mantle forward. His journey from a small village in Punjab to the pinnacle of Bollywood stardom is a source of inspiration for many aspiring actors. He remains a beloved icon, whose contributions to Indian cinema will be celebrated for generations to come.