It was a Sunday afternoon in the mid-nineties, and the air was still warm from the morning sun. The faint sound of temple bells echoed through the neighborhood as children ran home from the playground. Word had spread like wildfire: a Dharmendra movie would be airing on Doordarshan that evening.
By five o’clock, every household on the lane had tuned their black-and-white or newly bought color TVs to the same channel. The scent of frying pakoras filled the air. Mothers hurried to finish cooking before the movie began, fathers adjusted the antenna on the roof, and children grabbed their spots closest to the screen. When the familiar DD logo faded and Dharmendra’s heroic entry lit up the screen, cheers and whistles erupted from the entire neighborhood.
With every punch and dialogue, people clapped as though they were watching it live in a theater. The elders smiled, remembering their youth when they had first seen the movie in cinema halls, while the younger ones discovered their own hero in the man who could fight ten villains at once and still smile warmly.
When the movie ended and the closing credits rolled, the lane outside was unusually silent for a few moments—everyone still lost in Dharmendra’s charm. Then, conversations began again, filled with laughter, favorite scenes, and plans to watch next week’s screening.
That single TV broadcast had turned an entire neighborhood into one big family of movie lovers—united by one star, one screen, and one memory that would last a lifetime.
Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in Punjab, India, is a legendary Bollywood actor with a career spanning over six decades and more than 300 films. Nicknamed the "He-Man" of Bollywood, he gained fame initially as a romantic hero but soon became synonymous with action-packed roles due to his tall height, strong personality, and screen charm.
His first major breakthrough was in the mid-1960s with films like "Ayee Milan Ki Bela," but he rose to superstardom with hits like "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966), "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" (1971), and the blockbuster "Sholay" (1975), where his role as Veeru remains iconic.
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Dharmendra was known for his versatile acting, capable of portraying both romantic leads and fierce action heroes, earning four Filmfare Best Actor nominations. Apart from acting, he also ventured into film production and launched his son Sunny Deol in Bollywood. In recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honor, in 2012.
His legacy is marked by a record number of hit films, powerful dialogue delivery, and a charismatic screen presence that made him one of the most beloved and enduring stars of Hindi cinema.
Characteristic and Major Films of Dharmendra:
One of the greatest blockbusters in Indian cinema, Dharmendra played Veeru, a fun-loving and brave hero.
Marked Dharmendra's transition to stardom with his rugged persona; an important hit.
Known for its comic timing and action, with Dharmendra as the male lead alongside Hema Malini.
A musical action drama which remains a cult favorite, featuring Dharmendra in a key role.
Action-filled entertainer that cemented Dharmendra's image as an action star.
A popular period action film showcasing his versatility.
One of Dharmendra's memorable roles as a righteous and humorous cop.
Major films include "Mera Gaon Mera Desh," "Aankhen," "Raja Jani," "Hukumat," and "Chacha Bhatija," which have also contributed to his reputation as a leading man in Bollywood. These films are often remembered for their strong storytelling, music, and Dharmendra’s charismatic performances.
Dharmendra continued to act in commercially successful films through the 1980s and 1990s, later shifting to character roles in movies such as "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya," and most recently in "Yamla Pagla Deewana" series and "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani.
Here is a year-wise list of some notable Dharmendra movies along with their co-actors, highlighting his collaborations over time:
- 1960s:
- "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966) – Co-actor: Meena Kumari
- "Rakhwala" (1971) – Co-actor: Vinod Khanna, Neetu Singh
- "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" (1971) – Co-actor: Asha Parekh
- 1970s:
- "Sholay" (1975) – Co-actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sanjeev Kumar
- "Farishtay" (1991) – Co-actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty
- "Rakhwala" (1971) – Co-actor Vinod Khanna, Neetu Singh
- "The Burning Train" (1980) – Co-actors: Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, Hema Malini
- 1980s:
- "Rajput" (1982) – Co-actor: Kamal Haasan, Reena Roy
- "Batwara" (1989) – Co-actors: Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna
- 1990s:
- "Kshatriya" (1993) – Co-actors: Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt
- "Tell Me O Kkhuda" (2011) – Co-actors: Salman Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh (Dharmendra in a late cameo)
- 2000s and beyond:
- "Yamla Pagla Deewana" series (2011, 2013) – Co-actors: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol
- "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani" (2023) – Co-actors: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt
Dharmendra’s career is marked by frequent collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sunny Deol, and Vinod Khanna, among others, reflecting his versatility and longevity in Bollywood. This partial list spans major phases in his career, showcasing classic and contemporary hits.