Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, known simply as Dharmendra, was born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali (also referred to as Sahnewal), Punjab, India. He was born into a Jat Sikh family to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, a schoolteacher, and Satwant Kaur. He received his education at Government Senior Secondary School at Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, and later attended Ramgarhia College in Phagwara, completing his intermediate studies in 1952.

Early Career and Rise to Stardom

Dharmendra's journey to Bollywood began when he participated in a Filmfare magazine talent hunt, where he placed second. Despite the initial winner fading from public view, Dharmendra also faced considerable struggles. He initially travelled to Mumbai without clear prospects, returned to Punjab, and even worked for a drilling company before deciding to pursue acting again. Fellow aspiring actor Manoj Kumar encouraged him to stay and continue trying.

He made his film debut in 1960 with the romantic drama "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere", which went largely unnoticed. His first commercial success came in 1961 with "Shola Aur Shabnam", followed by hits like "Anpadh" (1962) and "Bandini" (1963).

His breakthrough arrived in 1964 with "Ayee Milan Ki Bela", where, despite playing the antagonist, he received a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, he starred in the war drama "Haqeeqat", based on the Sino-Indian War, which became a major critical and commercial success.

"He-Man" of Bollywood

The turning point in Dharmendra's career came with "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966), which established him as an action hero and became a blockbuster. This success earned him the nickname "He-Man" for his powerful on-screen presence. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, he delivered numerous hits, including "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" (1971), "Seeta Aur Geeta" (1972), and "Yaadon Ki Baaraat" (1973).

His most iconic role came in 1975 with "Sholay", where he played Veeru opposite Amitabh Bachchan's Jai. The film held the record for the highest-grossing Hindi film for 19 years and became an integral part of Indian popular culture. Dharmendra was the highest-paid cast member, earning 1.5 lakh rupees for the film.

Versatility and Longevity

While known for action films, Dharmendra proved his versatility in comedies like "Chupke Chupke" (1975) and dramatic roles throughout his career. In a career spanning 65 years, he worked in over 300 films, becoming one of the most commercially successful actors in Indian cinema history.

Personal Life

Dharmendra's personal life garnered significant attention. He married Prakash Kaur in 1954 at age 19, and they had four children: sons Sunny and Bobby Deol (both became successful Bollywood actors) and daughters Vijayta and Ajeeta. He later married actress Hema Malini, his frequent co-star with whom he shared remarkable on-screen chemistry. They had two daughters together: Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, both actresses. He was also the uncle of actor Abhay Deol.

Later Career and Politics

Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, Rajasthan, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party from 2004 to 2009. He continued acting into his later years, appearing with both his sons in films like "Apne" (2007) and the "Yamla Pagla Deewana" series. In 2011, he judged the reality show "India's Got Talent".

Legacy and Honours

In 2012, he received the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours. He also received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. His estimated net worth was between $60 million and $70 million, earned through acting, producing films, and smart investments.

Dharmendra remains one of Bollywood's most beloved icons, remembered for his charisma, powerful dialogue delivery, and ability to portray diverse characters across romantic, action, and comedy genres. His contribution to Indian cinema continues to be celebrated as a defining era in Bollywood's golden age.