Dharmendra: The Evergreen Powerhouse of Indian Cinema Who Redefined Stardom

Garam Dharam fondly known as the “He-Man of Bollywood,” is one of the most beloved and enduring actors in Indian cinema. With his charming smile, powerful screen presence, and unmatchable versatility, Dharmendra has been entertaining audiences for over six decades. From action-packed thrillers to heart-touching romances, he remains an icon of strength, simplicity, and timeless talent.

Started film career with just 51 rupees

Known as the “He-Man of Bollywood,” Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in the Punjab province of British India. He began his film career with just 51 rupees. His crush was Suraiya, whose film “Dillagi” he had seen many times.

Changed religion to marry Hema Malini

Very few people know that he was already married when he entered films. His first wife’s name was Prakash Kaur, and they were married in June 1954. He then secretly converted to Islam to marry Hema Malini, as second marriage is illegal under the Hindu Marriage Act. However, he later returned to Hinduism. It is also said that both his sons did not accept Hema Malini as their mother.

Dharmendra and Mithun hold the record for 16 hit films.

These two superstars worked together in 16 films, all of which were hits, including Ghulami, Jagir, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Trinetra, and Sultan, which ushered in an era of action films in Bollywood. Interestingly, despite working together in so many films, he considers Manoj Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan his best friends.

He holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema.

HE holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema. In 1973, he delivered eight hits and in 1987, Dharmendra delivered seven consecutive hits and nine successful movies in a single year which is still a record in the history of Hindi cinema.

Jaya Bachchan was impressed by his macho style.

Jaya Bachchan had confessed to Hema Malini on the sets of Koffee with Karan that in 1971, when the film “Guddi” was being shot, she used to watch him secretly from behind the sofa and that he was her biggest crush.

He also holds the record of doing more than 300 films.

He is the only actor who ruled Bollywood for 3 decades and has a record of doing around 306 films from 1960 to 2025, which include films of all genres from action to comedy and romantic. His upcoming film is “Ikkis” whose trailer has been released a few days ago, in which he will be seen in the role of the father of a martyr army officer.

Was Dharmendra a heavy drinker?

There is a false rumour about Dharmendra that he is a heavy drinker, but it is not so. Belonging to a Punjabi family, drinking is a common thing but for the film Sholay, he drank 12 bottles in a day, that too was the demand of that film in which the hero (Veeru) had to propose to Basanti by jumping into a water tank. Otherwise, he is a pure vegetarian.

Personal Information

Dharmendra age- 89

Wife- Prakash Kaur m(1954), Hema Malini (1980)

Children’s- 6 Including Sunny Bobby and Esha.

Dharmendra death

May God grant him a long life and we wish for his speedy recovery, but in Bollywood, whenever a veteran actor is admitted to the ICU, fake news of his death goes viral very fast, just like fake news of Dilip Kumar’s death came more than a thousand times, similarly fake news of Dharmendra ji’s death also keeps coming.

He man, how he is enjoying their life?

Away from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, he is enjoying a normal and happy life with his first wife Prakash Kaur at his farmhouse in Khandala, photos of which he keeps posting on his social media. Coming from a Punjabi family, farming is his hobby, where he grows vegetables in his farmhouse and sometimes uploads photos of himself driving a tractor.