Dharmendra (1935-2025) was an Indian actor, a film producer, and a former politician. He was known as the “Action-King” and “He-Man” of Bollywood. Dharmendra was one of the versatile actors of the Bollywood industry and the recipient of Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, by the Government of India. On 24 November 2025, he passed away due to age-related ailments. Let’s delve into the actor’s professional and personal life.
Contents
Biography/Wiki
Dharmendra was born as Dharam Singh Deol on 8 December 1935 (aged 89; at the time of death) in the village Nasrali of Khanna tehsil in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. He spent his early childhood days in the village, Sahnewal. As a child, Dharmendra was very reluctant to go to school and often used to trouble her mother while going to school. He completed his high school education from Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, Punjab and went on to Intermediate R.G. (Ramgarhia) College, Phagwara, to pursue his senior secondary education. Due to a lack of interest in studies, Dharmendra left studies just after completing his 12th standard.
He started developing an interest in movies from a very young age and often shared his fascination with his mother. He was a huge fan of the actress, ‘Suraiya‘ and walked miles to watch her film Dillagi. Dharmendra had seen that film for almost 40 times. One day, his mother saw an advertisement for a movie in Filmfare by Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt and advised him to participate in it. Dharmendra then went to Malerkotla to get his portfolio done by Jaan Mohammed (John & Sons) and sent an application for participation. He won the ‘New Talent Hunt Award’ by the Filmfare Magazine and relocated to Mumbai in search of work.
Dharmendra in his teenage
Physical Appearance
The brown-eyed actor was around 5’ 8” tall and weighed around 75 kg.
Family & Caste
A native of Ludhiana, Dharmendra was born in a Jat Sikh Family. He was the son of Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, a government school teacher and Satwant Kaur. Dharmendra had a brother named Ajit Singh Deol.
Dharmendra with his parents
Dharmendra with his brother
In 1954, he got married to Prakash Kaur at the age of 19. The couple later welcomed two sons, Sunny Deol (Ajay Singh Deol) and Bobby Deol (Vijay Singh Deol) and two daughters, Vijeeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol.
Dharmendra with wife Prakash Kaur
Dharmendra with Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol
Dharmendra with his daughters and son Bobby
Dharmendra With Sunny Deol
In the 1960s, Dharmendra was allegedly romantically linked to actress Meena Kumari. It was even said that she helped Dharmendra establish himself as A-lister of Bollywood.
Dharmendra with Meena Kumari
In the 1970s, Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini while shooting for the film ‘Sholay.’ It even happened that Dharmendra bribed the light boys to disturb the lights whenever there was an intimate scene in order to have as many retakes as possible. However, the love was just not limited to sets, and the actor decided to marry Hema, despite being already married.
In 1980, when his first wife, Prakash Kaur, refused to divorce him, Dharmendra converted to Islam and got married to Hema Malini. The couple later had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Dharmendra with his second wife-Hema Malini
Dharmendra with wife Hema and daughters Esha & Ahana
Ahana Deol and Esha Deol
Career
Dharmendra marked his film debut with Arjun Hingorani’s “Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere” in 1960. He earned Rs. 51 for this film. Next, he played a supporting role in the film ‘Boy Friend’ in 1961. Dharmendra usually starred as a romantic hero at the beginning of his career from 1960 to 1966.
In the year 1966, Dharmendra appeared as a solo hero in Phool Aur Patthar. The film went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1966 and propelled Dharmendra to greater heights of fame and glory. Dharmendra also received his first Filmfare nomination in the Best Actor category for this film. Dharmendra, who was earlier portrayed as a romantic hero, started playing action roles in films from 1974 onwards.
From the beginning of his journey, he got the opportunity to work with some of the renowned actresses of his time. He starred opposite Nutan in Bandini (1963) and Soorat Aur Seerat (1962). Dharmendra paired successfully with Meena Kumari in Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (1964), Kaajal (1965), Purnima (1965), Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Majhli Didi (1967), Chandan Ka Palna (1967) and Baharon Ki Manzil (1968).
Dharmendra also paired up with Hema Malini and gave hits like ‘Raja Jani,’ ‘Sharafat,’ ‘Seeta Aur Geeta,’ Charas,’ ‘Maa,’ ‘Sholay,’ and ‘Azaad.’ In fact, they formed the most successful on-screen pairing of that time. His significant performances include Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Satyakam’ and Ramesh Sippy’s action-adventure packed ‘Sholay.’ ‘Sholay’ became one of the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema and is listed by India as one of the “Top 25 must-see Bollywood films of all time.”
Besides Bollywood, Dharmendra also appeared in a few Punjabi Films. He made his debut in Punjabi cinema with “Kankan De Ohle (1970)”.
As a producer, he launched both his sons in the industry. He landed Sunny Deol in Bollywood with his first release (as a producer), Betaab, in 1983. He also launched his younger son, Bobby, in Barsaat in 1995.
Apart from Bollywood, Dharmendra also actively participated in politics. He was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing the constituency of Bikaner in Rajasthan on behalf of BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party).
Controversies
- Despite being married to Prakash Kaur, Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini and wanted to marry her. In the year 1980, when Prakash Kaur refused to divorce him, he converted to Islam in order to marry his love, Hema Malini. His act was severely criticised by the media.
- The actor also faced criticism for making an ironic statement that he should be elected ‘Director Perpetuo’ to teach basic etiquette that democracy requires, during the election campaign in 2004.
- He was also knocked by the media for his negligible attendance in the Parliament.
- On being asked by a reporter about his sons, Bobby and Sunny’s no-show at Esha Deol’s wedding reception, Dharmendra lost his cool and reacted in a bizarre manner. He made a strange sound and retorted, “Aap bakwaas mat kijiye.”
- He hit the headlines when a Delhi-based court asked him to present himself before it in December 2024 following a complaint by a businessman named Sushil Kumar. According to Kumar, he had invested Rs. 17 lakhs in Dharmendra’s food business, Garam Dharam Dhaba, in April 2018, and he was promised outlets on two main National Highways in UP. However, upon receiving the investment sum, Dharmendra and his associates stopped responding to his queries.
Awards
- In 1991, Dharmendra was awarded the National Film Award for “Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment” for film, Ghayal (Producer).
- Dharmendra won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 for his contribution to Indian Cinema.
- In 2007, he received IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Dharmendra was bestowed with Padma Bhushan in 2012.
Dharmendra awarded Padma Bhushan
Assets/Properties
Dharmendra owned an agricultural land worth more than ₹88 Lakh, one Non-agriculture land worth more than ₹52 Lakh and a building in Mumbai worth more than ₹17 Crore.
Car Collection
Dharmendra had a collection of Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and a Vintage car.
Net Worth
He had a Net Worth of around ₹23 Crore (as in 2014).
Death
Dharmendra, who spent his final years battling health issues, passed away at his residence on 24 November 2025 at the age of 89. In the years leading up to his death, he experienced back pain, muscle weakness, and other age-related ailments, which occasionally required hospital care. Earlier in 2025, he underwent a corneal transplant to treat damage to his left eye. In late October and early November 2025, he was admitted twice to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai due to breathing difficulties. During this period, rumours of his death circulated widely on social media and news platforms, causing widespread concern.
Favourite Things
- Dharmendra’s hobbies included cycling, travelling, and watching films.
- His all-time favourite movie was Dillagi (1949).
- He was a huge fan of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar.
Dharmendra with Lata Mangeshkar
- Suraiya and Nutan topped his list of favourite actresses.
- His favourite actors were Guru Dutt and Dilip Kumar.
- Arjun Hingorani was his most-liked director.
Dharmendra with Arjun Hingorani
Facts
- Earlier, Dharmendra drank heavily and was even called “the biggest boozer in Bollywood.” However, in 2010, after a health scare, he stopped drinking completely.
- Dharmendra followed a Non-Vegetarian food habit.
- His resided at Plot No. 22, 111th Road, Juhu, Mumbai, India.
Dharmendra’s residence in Mumbai
- He ws often called the ‘Garam Dharam’ of Bollywood. In fact, a restaurant chain named ‘Garam Dharam’ has been opened in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh as a tribute to Dharmendra and his timeless movies. The menu of the restaurant is inspired by the actor’s famous dialogues.
Garam Dharam Restaurant in Delhi
- He was the only actor to have shared screen with all the members of the Kapoor family, leaving Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor.
- In 1975, while shooting the film ‘Pratigya’, the choreographer of the song ‘Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana’ got annoyed teaching the correct dance steps to Dharmendra. The actor then decided to go on his own flow and danced with his natural, unique style.
- The veteran actor Dilip Kumar praised Dharmendra as the most handsome man he had ever seen.
Dharmendra with Dilip Kumar
- During the shoot of Sholay, while Amitabh Bachchan was still a newcomer to the industry, Dharmendra bonded with him nicely and the pair went onto redefine friendship in Bollywood.
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MAY ALLAH HELP HIM (DHARMENDRA),TO LIVE AND DIE AS A MUSLIM AMIN.