Handsome, charismatic and macho are three words that best describe one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars: Dharmendra. The screen legend turns 73 today. We trace his colourful journey over the years.
Dharm paaji was born in Sahnewaal in Punjab in 1935 and came to Mumbai to pursue his Bollywood dreams. Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere in 1960 was his first film. He hit the jackpot with Phool aur Paththar in 1966 in which he was paired with Meena Kumari. He has acted in over 200 Hindi films covering genres like comedy, drama, romance and action. Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Seeta aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Yaadon ki Baraat, Jugnu, Pocketmaar, The Burning Train, Charas, Ali baba aur Chalis chor, Dream Girl, Naya Zamana, Tu Haseen Main Jawaan and Zulm ki Huqumat are some of his popular movies. ’Kutte, main tera khoon pee jaaoonga’ is his most popular dialogue. With 60 golden jubilee hits in his kitty, he is the most successful actor in Bollywood.
In his hey days, he was the most handsome actor in the industry and is equally charming even today. He has worked with the biggest leading ladies of his time- Hema Malini, Meena Kumari, Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi. His most famous pairing was with Hema Malini; they starred in 27 films together and 20 of them were super hits. Moreover, he is the original action hero and his impressive physique set the fitness trend for Bollywood actors of the 90s.
Dharmendra married Prakash in 1954 and they have four children together. Sons Sunny and Bobby Deol are actors but their success is nowhere in the league of their father’s super-stardom. His daughters Vijeta and Ajeeta were always kept away from the limelight and are married and settled in California. Actor Abhay Deol is his nephew. With son Sunny, he runs Vijeta Productions which launched Sunny in Betaab in 1982, Bobby in Barsaat in 1995 and Abhay in 2005 with Socha Na Tha.
He was a much married man when he fell in love with beautiful doe eyed damsel Hema Malini on the sets of Sholay in 1975. He married her in 1980 and they have two daughters: Esha and Ahana. He doesn’t think Bollywood is a respectable place for girls and was upset when Esha joined the industry. He wants her to tie the knot soon. He spends his time at his residence in Juhu and farmhouse in Khandala. He is also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Dharmendra has won several lifetime achievement awards for his spectacular contribution to Indian cinema. He hasn’t retired from acting He has been part of successful films like Apne, which teamed him with his sons, Neil Nitin Mukesh’s launch vehicle Johnny Gaddaar, Metro in which he kissed co-star Nafisa Ali and in Om Shanti Om’s title song. He will be seen playing Preity Zinta’s father in Har Pall and in Masters, a comic caper which will reunite him with his sons on the silver screen.
We wish Bollywood’s handsomest superstar a very Happy Birthday and many more fulfilling years to come.
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