Look, I need to start with the heavy news. On November 24, 2025, India lost one of its greatest cinematic legends. Dharmendra Deol—known simply as Dharmendra to millions—passed away at 89 after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy that spans 65 years and over 300 films.
The Dharmendra biography we’re about to explore isn’t just another Bollywood success story. This is about a village boy from Punjab who won a talent contest, came to Mumbai with nothing, and became “India’s He-Man”—one of the most handsome, versatile, and commercially successful actors in Indian cinema history. This is about a man who played everything from romantic heroes to action stars to comedy legends, who married twice (controversially), raised six children who became actors, served in Parliament, and remained beloved until his final days.
Just 17 days before his death, he attended his wife Hema Malini’s performance in Delhi, looking frail but happy. Nobody knew then that we were seeing him in public for the last time. His passing has left a void in Indian cinema that can never truly be filled.
So let’s talk about Dharmendra—not just the He-Man of Bollywood, but the man behind the legend, the journey from Sahnewal to superstardom, and why his story matters even today.
The Punjab Beginning: A Village Boy with Movie Dreams
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, a small village in Ludhiana district, Punjab. Some sources list his birthplace as Sahnewal, another village in the same area where he spent his early childhood. Either way, this was rural Punjab during British India—no glamour, no film connections, just farming families and simple living.
His father, Kewal Krishan Singh Deol, was a school headmaster. His mother was Satwant Kaur. They were a Jat Sikh family—traditional, hardworking, and rooted in Punjabi culture. Dharmendra was one of six children, growing up with siblings in modest circumstances.
The family wasn’t wealthy, but they valued education. His father being a headmaster meant education was emphasized, even if opportunities were limited in the villages of 1940s Punjab.
The Early Education
Dharmendra 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.
He attended Ramgarhia College in Phagwara, earning a degree in Arts. For a village boy in that era, completing college was actually an accomplishment. Most kids his age were working in fields or trades.
But here’s what made young Dharam Singh Deol different: he was obsessed with movies.
The Film Obsession
From his earliest years, Dharmendra was fascinated by cinema. He would walk miles—literally miles—to the nearest cinema hall to watch films. He was a great fan of the singer and actor Suraiya and revealed to have watched her film ‘Dillagi’ (1949) more than 40 times, after walking several miles on foot to the nearest cinema hall in his hometown, Sahnewal.
Think about that dedication. A teenage boy watching the same film 40 times, walking hours each time just to see it. That’s not casual interest—that’s obsession. That’s destiny calling.
He would share his movie fascination with his mother, who apparently understood her son’s dreams better than most parents would. And it was his mother who would eventually push him toward the decision that changed his life.
1958: The Contest That Changed Everything
In 1958, Filmfare magazine—India’s premier entertainment publication—announced a talent hunt. They were looking for new faces for Hindi cinema, and the winners would get a chance to work in Bollywood.
On his mother’s suggestion, he sent an application to Filmfare’s new talent hunt with his portfolio. In fact, it was an advertisement by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt for a film for which Dharmendra went to Malerkotla to get his portfolio done by Jaan Mohammed (John & Sons).
Imagine being in a Punjab village in 1958, seeing this ad, and thinking, “Maybe that could be me.” Most people would dismiss it as a fantasy. But Dharmendra’s mother encouraged him to try.
He traveled to Malerkotla to get professional photographs taken—probably spending money the family could barely afford. He sent in his application with those photos, probably not really expecting anything to come of it.
And then he won.
Dharmendra was the winner of Filmfare magazine’s nationally organised new talent award and went to Mumbai from Punjab to work in the movie.
Just like that, a village boy from Punjab became a nationally recognized talent. But winning a contest and becoming a star are two very different things.
Mumbai: The Struggle Nobody Talks About
So Dharmendra came to Mumbai (then Bombay) with dreams, a talent contest win, and basically nothing else. No money. No connections. No place to stay. Just ambition and his mother’s blessings.
The film he was supposed to star in after winning the contest? It was never made.
That’s the harsh reality of Bollywood. He won a national talent contest, came all the way to Mumbai, and the promised opportunity vanished. Most people would’ve gone back to Punjab defeated. Dharmendra stayed.
The early days in Mumbai were brutal. He went from studio to studio looking for work. He slept in railway stations and parks. He went days without proper food. This wasn’t the glamorous Bollywood journey—this was survival.
But he kept trying. Kept knocking on doors. Kept believing that someone would see what Filmfare’s judges had seen in his photographs.
1960: The Rocky Debut
Finally, in 1960, director Arjun Hingorani gave Dharmendra his first break in “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere” (My Heart Is Yours, So Am I).
He later made his film debut in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s romantic drama Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. The film largely went unnoticed and as a result, did not perform that well at the box office.
So his debut flopped. Welcome to Bollywood, where even your first big break might not break through.
But here’s where Dharmendra’s story gets interesting. Instead of being discouraged, he kept working. He took whatever roles came his way, learning his craft, building his screen presence.
The Breakthrough Period: 1961-1964
He saw his first commercial success in 1961 with Ramesh Saigal’s Shola Aur Shabnam and followed it with hits, such as Mohan Kumar’s Anpadh (1962) and Bimal Roy’s Bandini (1963), which won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
“Bandini” was particularly significant. Working with legendary director Bimal Roy—one of Indian cinema’s masters—gave Dharmendra credibility. This wasn’t just a handsome face; this was an actor serious directors wanted to work with.
His breakthrough came in 1964 when he co-starred alongside Rajendra Kumar and Saira Banu in another of Mohan Kumar’s directional venture Ayee Milan Ki Bela.
“Ayee Milan Ki Bela” was a massive hit, and suddenly Dharmendra wasn’t just another actor—he was a rising star with a track record of success.
1966: “Phool Aur Patthar” and Becoming the Action Hero
If “Ayee Milan Ki Bela” made him a star, “Phool Aur Patthar” (Flower and Stone) in 1966 made him a superstar.
He appeared as a solo hero in Phool Aur Patthar (1966), which was also his first ‘Action Film.’ The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1966. Dharmendra also received his first Filmfare nomination for Best Actor.
This was the film that established his “He-Man” persona. He wasn’t just a romantic lead anymore—he could do action, he could be masculine and powerful, he could be the hero who saves the day.
The film was a blockbuster, and Dharmendra’s career trajectory changed completely. He was now in demand as an action hero, something relatively new in Hindi cinema at that time.
The Late 1960s: Establishing Dominance
Dharmendra hit the big league in 1968 with Atma Ram’s mystery thriller Shikar and Ramanand Sagar’s spy thriller Ankhen. Both the films opened to positive audience response and proved to be blockbusters at the box office with the latter being the top–earning film that year.
“Ankhen” being the highest-grossing film of 1968 meant Dharmendra was now competing with—and beating—everyone else in Bollywood. He was box office gold.
But then something interesting happened. The following year, saw the emergence of superstar Rajesh Khanna, who stormed the nation with back-to-back blockbusters in Aradhana and Do Raaste.
Suddenly, Dharmendra had serious competition. Rajesh Khanna became “the first superstar” of Indian cinema, with a fan following that was borderline hysterical. For a few years, Rajesh Khanna dominated Bollywood completely.
But Dharmendra didn’t fade away. He adapted, took different kinds of roles, and kept delivering hits.
The Personal Life Complication: Prakash Kaur
Before we go further, we need to talk about Dharmendra’s personal life, which would become one of Bollywood’s most discussed topics.
Dharmendra’s first marriage was to Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. From his first marriage, he has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol both successful actors, and two daughters, Vijayta Deol Gill and Ajeeta Deol.
He married Prakash Kaur in 1954, when he was just 19—before his film career even started. This was likely an arranged marriage, common in traditional Punjabi families of that era.
They had four children: Sunny (born 1956), Vijayta, Ajeeta, and Bobby (born 1969). Sunny and Bobby would both become successful Bollywood actors in their own right.
By all accounts, Prakash Kaur was a traditional wife who stayed away from the film industry, raised their children, and maintained the family home while Dharmendra pursued his career in Mumbai.
But then came 1975, and everything got complicated.
1975: “Sholay” and Falling in Love with Hema
“Sholay” (Embers) released in 1975 and became not just a hit—it became possibly the greatest Indian film ever made. It’s the film every Indian knows, the dialogue everyone can quote, the characters that became iconic.
Dharmendra played Veeru, one half of the legendary Jai-Veeru friendship. Amitabh Bachchan played Jai. Together, they created one of cinema’s most beloved buddy duos.
But for Dharmendra, “Sholay” was significant for another reason: that’s when he fell deeply in love with Hema Malini, who played Basanti, his love interest in the film.
It is said that during the shooting of ‘Sholay’ (1975), Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini and whenever there was an intimate shoot with Hema Malini, he used to bribe the light boys to disturb the lights to have as many retakes as possible.
That’s both romantic and slightly manipulative, depending on how you look at it. But it shows how smitten he was.
The problem? He was already married with four children. And Prakash Kaur had no intention of divorcing him.
The Controversial Second Marriage
Dharmendra and Hema’s love story became one of Bollywood’s biggest scandals. He pursued her relentlessly. There were even stories about him disrupting her arranged marriage to actor Jeetendra.
Hema Malini’s parents did not want Hema to marry Dharmendra; as he was already married. However, on the day of her marriage with actor Jeetendra, in Madras, Dharmendra entered the marriage hall and was pushed out of the hall by Hema’s father. Hema Malini refused to marry Jeetendra and later, married Dharmendra.
But how could they marry when he was already married? As the Hindu Marriage Act forbade polygamy, he converted to Islam in 1979 to avoid protests and give legitimacy to his second marriage.
On August 21, 1979, both Dharmendra and Hema converted to Islam—he became Dilawar Khan, she became Aisha Bi. Then they married according to Islamic law, which permits a man to have multiple wives.
The conversion was purely a legal loophole. Neither of them practiced Islam. It was simply the only way they could be together legally.
In 1980, they formalized their marriage. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Esha is an actress and Ahana is a dancer.
Esha was born in 1981, Ahana in 1985.
Living in Two Worlds
For the rest of his life, Dharmendra essentially lived in two worlds. He had his first family with Prakash Kaur—Sunny, Bobby, and his two daughters. And he had his second family with Hema—Esha and Ahana.
Prakash never divorced him. She raised their children, largely away from the public eye, in a separate household. Dharmendra lived primarily with Hema but maintained financial and familial ties to his first family.
It was messy, complicated, and controversial. But both families eventually found ways to coexist, especially after grandchildren came along and family gatherings brought everyone together.
The 1970s-1980s: Peak Stardom
Through all the personal drama, Dharmendra kept delivering hit after hit.
His pairing with Hema Malini was box office gold. His most successful pairing was with Hema Malini with whom he has acted in as many as 27 movies of which 20 are more popular.
Their hits included “Sholay,” “Charas,” “Seeta Aur Geeta,” “The Burning Train,” “Dream Girl,” and many more. Audiences loved watching them together, and producers kept casting them.
In 1983, Dharmendra delivered a hit in Rajkumar Kohli’s comedy film Naukar Biwi Ka, followed by another success, Qayamat.
In 1985, Dharmendra starred in J. P. Dutta’s action drama film Ghulami which also had Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah, Reena Roy and Smita Patil in the lead. The film opened to positive reviews from critics and emerged a superhit as well as one of the top five highest-earners of that year.
He wasn’t just an action hero. He excelled in comedies too, particularly in films directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. “Chupke Chupke” (1975) showcased his brilliant comic timing, proving he could do more than just flexing muscles and romance.
The Different Side: Working with Master Directors
What many people don’t realize about the Dharmendra biography is that he wasn’t just a commercial actor. He worked with some of Indian cinema’s most respected directors and delivered critically acclaimed performances.
He was also given a souvenir at the 14th National Film Awards in recognition of his performance in Anupama.
He worked repeatedly with Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee—directors known for meaningful, character-driven cinema. Under their direction, Dharmendra showed depth and range that commercial action films didn’t always allow.
“Satyakam” (1969), “Anupama” (1966), “Bandini” (1963), “Chupke Chupke” (1975)—these films proved he was more than just a handsome face or action hero. He was a legitimate actor who could hold his own in serious cinema.
The 1990s: Evolution and Family
By the 1990s, Dharmendra was in his 50s and 60s. He couldn’t be the action hero forever. So he evolved.
His commercial hits in 1990s included Veeru Dada, Naka Bandi, Farishtay, Tehalka, Kshatriya, Maidan E Jung and Dharma Karma.
But more significantly, he started focusing on launching his sons’ careers.
Dharmendra launched both of his sons in films: Sunny Deol in Betaab and Bobby Deol in Barsaat (1995). He also launched his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005).
Sunny Deol became a massive star in his own right, known for his angry-young-man roles and powerful dialogue delivery. Bobby found success too, though not quite at Sunny’s level. And Abhay Deol carved out a niche in parallel and indie cinema.
The Deol family became a Bollywood dynasty, with three generations now in the industry.
The New Millennium: Character Roles and Continued Success
Beginning in the late 1990s, he appeared 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, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
“Apne” (2007) was particularly significant because it featured Dharmendra with both his sons, Sunny and Bobby, for the first time on screen. The film was about family, boxing, and redemption—and the real-life father-son dynamic added emotional weight to the story.
“Yamla Pagla Deewana” (2011) reunited the three Deols in a comedy that was a massive hit. They made a sequel in 2013.
Even in his 70s and 80s, Dharmendra kept working, taking supporting roles in major films. His appearance in “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” (2023) at age 87 proved he could still command the screen.
The Political Chapter: MP from Bikaner
In 2004, Dharmendra entered politics. He was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009. His political career was relatively low-key compared to his film career, though he did face criticism for poor attendance in Parliament.
Many saw it as a celebrity using their fame to get elected without serious political commitment. But Dharmendra maintained that he wanted to serve his country, even if politics wasn’t his natural element.
The Awards and Recognition
In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Bollywood.
This was a well-deserved recognition for a career spanning nearly four decades at that point, with over 200 films already completed.
But the biggest honor came in 2012 when Dharmendra received several honors for his contribution to cinema and was awarded India’s third highest civilian honor Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2012.
The Padma Bhushan is one of India’s highest civilian awards, given for distinguished service to the nation. For Dharmendra, it was recognition that he wasn’t just an entertainer—he was a cultural icon who’d contributed significantly to Indian arts and cinema.
The Final Years: Health Struggles and Farewells
In his final years, Dharmendra’s health began declining. Age was catching up with the man who’d once been Bollywood’s He-Man.
He made fewer public appearances, though he continued to attend family events and occasional film functions. His last film release was “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya” in 2024, where he had a supporting role.
On November 7, 2025, just 17 days before his death, he attended Hema Malini’s dance performance in Delhi. Photos from that event show him looking frail but happy, supported by family members. Nobody knew those would be some of the last public images of the legend.
November 24, 2025: The Day India Lost Its He-Man
On November 24, 2025, after a brief illness, Dharmendra passed away at age 89. Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (8 December 1935 – 24 November 2025), known mononymously as Dharmendra, was an Indian actor, producer and politician, primarily known for his work in Hindi films.
The cause was listed as age-related health complications. He died at his home, surrounded by his family—both families, actually. Sunny, Bobby, Vijayta, and Ajeeta from his first marriage, and Esha and Ahana from his second marriage, all came together in his final hours.
The news sent shockwaves through India. Within minutes, tributes poured in from across the country and around the world. Every major Bollywood star, political leader, and cultural figure shared their grief and memories.
The Funeral: A Nation Mourns
His funeral was held with full state honors, befitting a Padma Bhushan awardee and cultural icon. He also attended her funeral, when she died in 2004, referring to actress Suraiya, his childhood idol—the same sentiment now being expressed about him.
Thousands of fans lined the streets. The entire film industry attended. Prime Minister, President, and other national leaders sent condolences.
What was particularly moving was seeing both families united in grief. Prakash Kaur, now a widow after never divorcing Dharmendra, stood with dignity. Hema, also now a widow after 45 years of marriage, was inconsolable. The six children and numerous grandchildren came together as one family, honoring their father and grandfather.
All the old controversies, the judgment, the scandal—none of it mattered in that moment. What mattered was that India had lost a legend.
The Legacy: What Dharmendra Left Behind
Dharmendra was widely considered one of the greatest, most handsome and commercially successful film stars in the history of Indian cinema. In a career spanning 65 years, he worked in over 300 films, holding the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema.
Let’s break down that legacy:
Over 300 films across 65 years—that’s averaging nearly 5 films per year for his entire career.
The record for most hit films in Hindi cinema—not just appearing in films, but appearing in hits.
Launched three generations of the Deol acting dynasty—himself, his sons, and his nephew, with grandchildren likely to follow.
Versatility that ranged from action to comedy to serious drama, proving he wasn’t just a one-note actor.
The “He-Man” persona that defined masculine heroism for an entire generation.
Cultural impact that went beyond films—he became a symbol of Punjabi pride, rural-to-urban success, and perseverance.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
If we look at the Dharmendra biography through numbers, it’s staggering:
- Born: December 8, 1935
- Film debut: 1960 (age 24)
- Career span: 65 years
- Total films: Over 300
- First marriage: 1954 (age 19)
- Second marriage: 1980 (age 44)
- Children: 6
- Grandchildren: Multiple
- Filmfare nominations: 4 (never won, but received Lifetime Achievement)
- Major awards: Padma Bhushan (2012), Filmfare Lifetime Achievement (1997)
- Political service: MP from Bikaner (2004-2009)
- Age at death: 89
Those numbers tell a story of longevity, productivity, and impact.
The Man Behind the He-Man
Despite his larger-than-life screen presence, people who knew Dharmendra personally described him as humble, kind, and surprisingly shy.
On an event, the veteran actor Dilip Kumar said that Dharmendra is the most handsome man he has ever seen. He said, “Bhagwaan Ne Badi Fursat Se Banaya Hoga Ise” (God must have taken his time creating him).
That quote from Dilip Kumar—himself a legend—speaks to how respected Dharmendra was even among his peers.
He was known for his generosity, often helping struggling actors and crew members. He maintained friendships across the industry, notably with Amitabh Bachchan, with whom he developed a deep bond during “Sholay.”
He was also known for his love of poetry. Few people know that Dharmendra wrote poetry in Urdu and would sometimes recite at mushairas (poetry gatherings).
What Made Him Special
In an industry full of good-looking actors and action heroes, what made Dharmendra stand out?
Authenticity: He never pretended to be something he wasn’t. His Punjabi roots, his rural background, his straightforward personality—all of it came through on screen.
Versatility: From the comedy of “Chupke Chupke” to the intensity of “Sholay” to the drama of “Satyakam,” he could do it all.
Longevity: 65 years in the industry, remaining relevant across multiple generations.
Screen presence: That indefinable quality that makes you watch him even when he’s not speaking.
Relatability: Despite being a superstar, he remained relatable to the common man—perhaps because he came from common origins.
The Bottom Line
So here’s my take on the Dharmendra biography after diving deep into his life and legacy: Dharmendra was proof that you don’t need connections or privilege to make it big—you just need talent, determination, and the courage to keep going when everything seems stacked against you.
He walked miles to watch movies as a kid. He struggled and starved in Mumbai. His debut flopped. But he kept going, kept working, kept believing. And he became not just successful, but legendary.
His personal life was complicated and controversial, but he never pretended otherwise. He loved two women, had two families, and somehow maintained relationships with all of them until the end. That’s messy and imperfect, but it’s also deeply human.
He worked for 65 years, appeared in over 300 films, won the hearts of millions, launched a family dynasty, and died peacefully at home surrounded by the people he loved.
If that’s not a life well-lived, I don’t know what is.
Dharmendra wasn’t perfect. He made choices others judged. He had controversies and scandals. But he was authentic, talented, and ultimately, beloved.
Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He first gained popularity in the mid-1960s for films, such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar and Aaye Din Bahar Ke, and achieved greater stardom in later years, being dubbed India’s “He-Man” for several of his on-screen roles in Hindi films.
From that struggling debut to becoming India’s He-Man, from a village in Punjab to Bollywood royalty, from one hit to 300+ films—that’s the journey. That’s the legacy.
Dharmendra (1935-2025): The He-Man who conquered not just cinema, but generations of hearts. A legend who proved that dreams from small villages can become realities that change an entire industry.
Rest in peace, Dharam ji. You’ve earned it.
