300 Films & 63 Years of Rich Experience in Indian Cinema – Hats off to Legendary Dharam Paaji
Dharmendra Enjoying 63 Memorable Years of Indian Cinema: Dharmendra is a Legendary Indian actor, producer, and politician who has appeared in over 300 films throughout the course of his six-decade career. He is most known for his roles in Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Chupke Chupke, Dharam Veer, and many other films. For his contributions to Indian cinema, he has earned the Padma Bhushan, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award. From 2004 to 2009, he served in the Lok Sabha from the Rajasthan seat of Bikaner.
Dharmendra Enjoying 63 Memorable Years of Indian Cinema: Dharmendra – A Glimpse
Dharam Singh Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in Sahnewal, a village in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, British India (modern-day Punjab, India), to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur.
He grew up in the area of Sahnewal and attended the Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana. He went on to study at Ramgarhia College in Phagwara and Panjab University in Chandigarh.
He was a huge fan of singer and actor Suraiya and had seen her film Dillagi (1949) over 40 times. When she died in 2004, he also attended her funeral.
He made his film debut in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) and rose to prominence in the mid-1960s with films like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Kaajal, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.
His performances as a prison doctor in Bandini (1963), a soldier in Haqeeqat (1964), a writer in Anupama (1966), a righteous man in Satyakam (1969), and a professor in Chupke Chupke (1975) gained him critical acclaim.
In later years, he rose to prominence and was dubbed “India’s Garam Dharam” for several of his on-screen roles. Sholay (1975), Pratiggya (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Shakti (1982), Ghulami (1985), Hukumat (1987), Elaan-E-Jung (1989), and Tahalka (1992) were among his numerous top-grossing films.
He has produced films such as Betaab (1983), Ghayal (1990), Barsaat (1995), and Apne (2007) under his banner Vijayta Films. For Ghayal, he received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the Filmfare Award for Best Movie.
He entered politics in 2004 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajasthan’s Bikaner constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. During his term, he was chastised for his low attendance and inflammatory utterances. He did not run for office in 2009.
In 2012, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, for his contributions to Indian film.
In recent years, he has continued to participate in films as a character actor in films such as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Life in a… Metro (2007), Apne (2007), Johnny Gaddaar (2007), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) are some of his films.
His latest film is Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Apne 2, & Ikkis.
Dharmendra Son & Daughter’s
Sunny Deol (Ajay Singh Deol) is Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur’s eldest son. He was born in Sahnewal, Punjab, on October 19, 1956. He is a well-known actor, director, and producer who has appeared in over 100 films. He is well-known for his patriotic and action performances in films such as Border, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Ghayal, Damini, and Indian. He has two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards to his name. He also entered politics in 2019, when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Punjab constituency of Gurdaspur on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. He is married to Pooja Deol and they have two boys, Karan and Rajvir. Karan Deol made his acting debut in the 2019 film Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, which was directed by Sunny Deol.
Bobby Deol (Vijay Singh Deol) is Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur’s second son. He was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on January 27, 1969. He is also a well-known actor who has appeared in over 40 films. He made his film debut in Barsaat (1995), directed by Dharmendra. He has appeared in a number of films, including Gupt, Soldier, Badal, Bichhoo, Humraaz, Apne, Yamla Pagla Deewana, and Race 3. He received a Filmfare Award for Best Debut as well as a Screen Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role. He is married to Tanya Deol and they have two boys, Aryaman and Dharam.
Esha Deol (Esha Dharmendra Deol) is Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s oldest daughter. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on November 2, 1981. She is also an actress who has appeared in over 20 films. She made her debut in the 2002 film Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe, for which she received a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has appeared in a number of films, including Dhoom, Yuva, No Entry, Dus, Ankahee, and Just Married. She has also studied classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She is married to businessman Bharat Takhtani and has two kids, Radhya Takhtani and Miraya Takhtani.
Vijeta Deol (Vijeta Singh Deol) is Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur’s oldest daughter. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in 1965. She is not in the film industry and prefers to stay out of the spotlight. She is married to lawyer Ajeet Singh Ahuja and has a son named Jai Ahuja.
Ahana Deol (Ahana Dharmendra Deol) is Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s youngest daughter. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on July 28, 1985. She has also studied classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She was an associate director on films like Guzaarish and Tell Me O Kkhuda. She made her acting debut in Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002) but did not continue in the industry. She is married to businessman Vaibhav Vohra and has two boys, Darien Vohra and Astra Vohra.
Ajeeta Deol (Ajeeta Singh Deol) is Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur’s youngest daughter. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in 1967. She is also not in the film industry and leads a low-key life. She is married to Kiran Chaudhary, a businessman from California, and they have two kids, Nikita, and Prianka Chaudhary.
Dharmendra Struggling Phase
Dharmendra had no place to stay in Mumbai and no money to spend. He was forced to work for a drilling company for Rs 200 per month. He also shared a garage with fellow actor and friend Manoj Kumar, who pushed him to keep trying. Dharmendra went to many producers’ offices and auditioned for various jobs, but he was turned down and disappointed. He considered giving up and returning to Punjab, but fate had other intentions.
He made his debut in Arjun Hingorani’s Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960), and went on to act in a number of successful films throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His performances in films such as Bandini (1963), Haqeeqat (1964), Anupama (1966), Satyakam (1969), and Chupke Chupke (1975) gained him critical praise. With films like Sholay (1975), Pratiggya (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Shakti (1982), Ghulami (1985), and Hukumat (1987), he rose to stardom. He has produced films such as Betaab (1983), Ghayal (1990), Barsaat (1995), and Apne (2007) under his banner Vijayta Films.
Dharmendra & Manoj Kumar Friendship Story
Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar are two of the most well-known performers in Indian cinema, having appeared in numerous memorable films and receiving numerous honors and accolades. They are also well-known for their long-standing relationship, which dates back to their difficult times in Mumbai.
Manoj Kumar was born on July 24, 1937, as Harikishan Giri Goswami in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After his debut film Fashion (1957), he was influenced by actor Dilip Kumar and took the stage name Manoj Kumar. In his early days, he also battled a lot and worked as a ghostwriter for certain directors. During this time, he met Dharmendra and they became roommates and friends.
Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Kranti (1981) propelled Manoj Kumar to stardom. He also directed some of these films, for which he received various accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for Upkar. He also appeared in Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965), Do Badan (1966), Neel Kamal (1968), Beimaan (1972), and Sanyasi (1975).
Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar remained friends and supported one other’s work throughout their lives. They also appeared in films like Aankhen (1968), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969), and Dus Numbri (1976). They had mutual respect and regard for one another and never let their professional rivalry interfere with their personal relationship. They remain in contact and frequently attend each other’s family occasions.
The friendship of Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar is a rare example of sincere friendship in the film industry, where relationships are generally fleeting and opportunistic. They are both Indian movie icons who have influenced numerous generations of actors and filmmakers. They are also role models for anyone who wishes to pursue their dreams with enthusiasm, strength, and commitment.
Dharmendra’s journey from a village boy to a Bollywood Legend is Truly Inspiring and Remarkable. He is one of the Most Respected and Admired Actors in India and has a huge fan following across generations. He is an icon of Indian cinema and a living legend.
