Remembering Dharmendra: The Enduring Legacy of a Bollywood Icon

A Glimpse into Dharmendra's Life and Career

Once hailed as the city of dreams, Mumbai was a place where aspiring actors could rise to fame. Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 in Mumbai, was one such individual who achieved remarkable success in Hindi cinema.

With a filmography exceeding 300 titles, many of which became box office hits, Dharmendra's contributions to the industry included numerous memorable songs. His status in Bollywood remained steadfast, unaffected by the ups and downs of fame. While many superstars came and went, his popularity remained constant.

Born Dharminder Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village, Punjab, he was the son of a school headmaster. His passion for cinema ignited after watching the 1948 film Shaheed, which left a lasting impression on him. As noted in Rajiv Vijayakar's biography, Dharmendra: Not Just a He-Man, the film's imagery captivated him, overshadowing all other interests.

Upon arriving in Mumbai, Dharmendra faced challenges in breaking into the film industry. After an unsuccessful attempt, he returned home to work in a drilling company. However, his determination led him back to Mumbai when he saw an advertisement for the Filmfare-United Producers Talent Hunt.

He secured second place in the contest, while the winner, Suresh Puri, faded into obscurity. Dharmendra's journey was fraught with difficulties, and he almost left Mumbai again, but was encouraged to stay by his friend, Manoj Kumar.

At this point, Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur in 1954 and had a son, Ajay (later known as Sunny Deol), whom he had left in their village.

In 1960, he landed his first significant role as the second lead in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, thanks to Arjun Hingorani. Grateful for the opportunity, Dharmendra continued to work with Hingorani on various projects, even those that were less successful.

His striking looks and physique caught the attention of filmmakers, leading to numerous offers, primarily in family dramas and romantic films that were popular at the time. Dharmendra stood out among his contemporaries, who included well-known Punjabi actors like Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar.

While some of his early films were hits, others did not fare as well. Nevertheless, he had a knack for selecting impactful roles, such as in Bandini (1962) and Haqeeqat (1964), where he played significant supporting characters.

In Bandini, directed by Bimal Roy, Dharmendra portrayed a compassionate prison doctor who falls in love with the heroine, Nutan, who is serving a life sentence for murder. This role showcased his gentle and charming persona, which later became overshadowed by his action film roles.

The film that solidified Dharmendra's status as a leading man was Phool Aur Patthar (1964), where he starred opposite Meena Kumari. His character, Shaaka, a criminal who aids an exploited widow, helped establish his image as a rugged yet sensitive hero.

This persona mirrored his real-life character, as he was known for his generosity, often providing food and shelter to those from his village who came to Mumbai.

Although nominated for a Filmfare Best Actor award for Phool Aur Patthar, he lost to Dev Anand for Guide. Despite being one of the most beloved stars in Bollywood, Dharmendra never won a major acting award, receiving only lifetime achievement honors and a Padma Bhushan.

Phool Aur Patthar marked a pivotal moment in Dharmendra's career, leading to a series of action films, comedies, and artistic dramas, including Mamta (1966), Anupama (1966), and Satyakam (1969). In Satyakam, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, he delivered one of his finest performances as an idealist who endures hardship without compromising his values.

Mukherjee captured the essence of Dharmendra's charm, portraying his masculinity as a symbol of spiritual strength rather than mere physicality.

Throughout the 1970s, Dharmendra maintained his popularity despite the rise of Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. This decade saw several of his major hits, including Jeevan Mrityu (1970), Naya Zamana (1971), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Sholay (1975), and many more.

Alongside his action hero persona, Dharmendra also showcased his comedic talent, particularly in roles like Raka in Seeta Aur Geeta and Veeru in Sholay.

His comedic timing was further refined in Chupke Chupke, where he played a botany professor pretending to be a Hindi-speaking driver to tease his brother-in-law.

Dharmendra's on-screen chemistry with Hema Malini was particularly noteworthy, with their collaborations in films like Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Sholay proving to be immensely popular.

One of their most unconventional roles together was in Razia Sultan (1983), where he portrayed Yakut, the queen's loyal Abyssinian slave, a role that would likely spark controversy today.

Despite attempts to keep his personal life private, Dharmendra's romance with Hema Malini became public, leading to their marriage in 1980, which stirred considerable media attention.

As the years progressed, many of Dharmendra's best performances were behind him, yet he continued to work through the 1980s and 1990s in various revenge dramas, some of which were less memorable.

However, he found success in films directed by JP Dutta, such as Ghulami (1985) and Kshatriya (1993), where he played more serious roles.

During this time, he introduced his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, to the film industry, while keeping his daughters away from the limelight.

As the 2000s approached, Dharmendra's film choices seemed to reflect a desire to stay active rather than a passion for the projects, with roles in films that did not resonate well.

Nevertheless, he found some redemption in offbeat roles in films like Life in a Metro (2007) and Johnny Gaddaar (2011), and appeared alongside his sons in Apne (2007) and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).

In Johnny Gaddaar, he played a seasoned con artist, a role that paid homage to his legacy.

Dharmendra's recent projects include Ikkis, a war drama, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), where his on-screen kiss with Shabana Azmi became a topic of discussion.

Even as his appearances became less frequent, Dharmendra maintained his popularity, even representing the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2004 general elections. He preferred writing poetry and tending to his farm over attending Parliament.

Throughout his extensive career, Dharmendra was admired for his simplicity, warmth, and generosity, qualities that endeared him to fans and colleagues alike. His talent, though often unrecognized with awards, was deeply appreciated.

Dharmendra's ability to connect with audiences over decades solidified his status as a true legend in the film industry.