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Dharmendra: Bollywood’s He-Man i.e. Dharmendra is no more with us. But there is no doubt that he will always be alive in the hearts of his fans through his films.
24 November, 2025
Dharmendra: If we dig into the soil of India’s classic cinema, one name will come out shining brightly, and that is Dharmendra. Perhaps even he himself would not have thought that this tall, simple boy from a small village, Sahnewal in Punjab, would later become the poster boy of Hindi films, the king of romance and a real hero of action. This is the story of a person who, although he left books after 12th, never gave up his dreams.
Childhood
Krishna Singh Deol alias Dharmendra Singh Deol, born on December 8, 1935 in Sahnewal village of Ludhiana, had a very simple childhood. Studied in government school, then completed 12th from Ramgarhia College, Phagwara. But meanwhile, the growing passion for films took Dharmendra in a completely different direction. A path on which he became the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood. But the journey till here was not easy for him. This is the reason why he had such a film life, which itself is a superhit script. If Bollywood were a book, Dharmendra would be its brightest, most charming and most humble chapter. The man whom the world calls “He-Man” today, started with the smell of soil, unpaved roads and small dreams. Jat family, teacher father, village childhood, everything in his life was absolutely ordinary. This was the same child who had watched the film “Dillalagi” 40 times just because he wanted to see himself in that world of the screen. Studied in government school of Laltan Kalan, then matriculated from Phagwara in 1952. Married to Prakash Kaur at the age of 19. Even after becoming the father of two sons – Sunny and Bobby and two daughters – Vijeta and Ajeeta, Dharmendra’s heart continued to beat for the film world.
trip to mumbai
His decision at the end of the 1950s was clear. When cinema resides in the heart, then why not live in the city of Maya itself… Thinking this, he came to Mumbai. He had no house, no money, no identity. Many nights were spent on an empty stomach. If you go for an audition and get a response, we will tell you. In that situation a common man would have accepted defeat, but Dharmendra was not common. Meanwhile, luck smiled and he took part in Filmfare’s National New Talent Contest and won it too. Eventually director Arjun Hingorani gave him his first chance. His first film was released in the year 1960, whose name was Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His first earning was Rs 51. Three producers together gave him this amount. That means everyone gave Rs 17. But these 51 rupees gave Bollywood its he-man. The beginning was made, but the real blast was made by the film “Phool Aur Patthar” in 1966. Then the audience first saw a romantic hero who was both soft and strong. Dharmendra’s personality, deep eyes and simple smile made him the heartthrob of millions. After this, films like Mera Gaon Mera Desh and Jugnu proved that Dharmendra was not made just for romance. He used to change the atmosphere as soon as he came on screen. Sometimes he would become a shy lover and sometimes an action star. Then came the year 1975 when he became Veeru of Sholay. People still remember his expression of love by climbing on the tank and his friendship with Jai.
Dharmendra and Meena Kumari
Some relationships in the world of Bollywood are as magical as they look on screen, but they are equally complicated in real life. One such relationship was between He-Man and Tragedy Queen i.e. Dharmendra and Meena Kumari. The story of both was as deep as the films, but remained incomplete. Dharmendra often said that many misconceptions were spread about him. From the matter of changing religion for marriage to their relationships. Among these, the relationship between him and Meena Kumari was discussed the most. What was this relationship after all? Love, misunderstanding or just support of friendship? Actually, the story starts in the 60s, when Dharmendra was a newcomer to films. Meena Kumari was the superstar of this era. Both of them worked together in films like Kajal, Purnima, Main Bhi Ladki Hoon, Baharon Ki Manzil and Phool Aur Patthar. Phool Aur Patthar became the highest grossing film of 1966. For this, Dharmendra got nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the first time. Well, the chemistry between Meena Kumari and Dharmendra on screen seemed so real that discussions started in the industry. Meena Kumari had helped Dharmendra a lot in making his career at that time. It is said that Meena Kumari used to put a condition before the directors that she would do the film only if the hero was Dharmendra. The closeness between the two grew so much that people even started saying that Meena Kumari cannot live without her religion. However, Dharmendra always described himself as a big fan of Meena Kumari. Dharmendra had said in an interview- ‘I was not in love with Meena Kumari. She was a superstar and I was her fan. If you call the relationship between a fan and a star love, then consider it love.
Pakeezah and Dharmendra
Meena Kumari was alone at that time. Her marriage with Kamal Amrohi had ended. The use of alcohol was increasing. His life was full of emotions. He had limited himself between poetry, loneliness and stardom. During this time, Dharmendra came into his life as a support. Both started spending time together and kept working together. The surprising thing is that Dharmendra first got the role of Rajkumar in Pakeezah. But when Kamal Amrohi came to know about their closeness, he threw Dharmendra out. Around 1970, Meena’s health started deteriorating and by then Dharmendra had become a big star. The pairing of him and Hema Malini started becoming hits in films. This professional relationship that started with the film Sapno Ka Saudagar gradually turned into love. Films like Sita Aur Geeta, Sholay further strengthened their relationship. Then in the year 1980, Dharmendra and Hema Malini got married. Already the father of 4 children, after marrying Hema he became the father of 2 more daughters. Today Dharmendra’s entire family is mourning his demise. Now He-Man will live only in our memories. He is not just a film star, he is a feeling.
Also read: He-Man is gone, Bollywood is mourning Dharmendra’s demise, these stars came to bid last farewell
