Bollywood's He-Man Dharmendra: A legacy of stardom and strength

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Her film career was still underway. Whether on a large or small screen, even at 90, she maintained the same swagger, the same masculine gait, and spoke as if every word were a dialogue. That same youthful 25-year-old air, which continued to shine even at 89.

The 'He-Man' who left an impact on screen with his acting in more than 300 films, who always told the audience that 'Agar Tum Bhoola Na Deoge, Sapne Ye Sac Hi Honge, Hum Tum Juda Na Honge', but just before celebrating his 90th birthday, the great actor Dharmendra left behind a caravan of his memories in the hearts of the audience.

Even at 89, he had a radiance unmatched by anyone in his family. He had two wives, six children, and 13 grandchildren, but no one could match his talent. He was the "He-Man" whose voice, whenever echoed on screen, kept audiences rooted to their seats. Whether playing a hero or a villain, his voice was so commanding that his presence on screen always brought out his own character.

At the age of 19, this hero of the century married Prakash Kaur. He hadn't even made his film debut then. They had four children: two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and two daughters, Vijeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol.

The family continued to thrive, and Dharmendra continued to grow in popularity on screen. By the 1970s, Dharmendra was considered one of the finest actors in Hindi cinema. During this decade, the film "Sholay" was released, starring Hema Malini. A few days later, news emerged that the two had married. It was even rumored that his first wife, Prakash Kaur, refused to grant him a divorce, so Dharmendra converted to Islam and married Hema Malini. However, in 2004, Dharmendra dismissed these rumors.

However, over time, it became a topic of discussion that Dharmendra lived alone at his farmhouse in Lonavala, not with Hema Malini. Dharmendra and Hema Malini's marriage produced two daughters, Esha and Ahana.

Dharmendra wasn't just the father of six sons and daughters. By this time, his family was already filled with grandchildren. Sunny had two sons, Bobby had two sons, Vijeta had a son and a daughter, Ajita had two daughters, Esha had two daughters, and Ahana had three children: a son and two twin daughters. That means his grandchildren totaled 13.

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village, Ludhiana district, Punjab. His parents, Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur, came from a Punjabi Jat family. His ancestral village is Dangaon, located in Pakhowal tehsil, Raikot, near Ludhiana.

Dharmendra was also awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012. He also tried his luck in politics, winning the Bikaner seat in Rajasthan on a BJP ticket in 2004 and reaching the Lok Sabha.

While Dharmendra's on-screen pairings with every actress of his time were well-received, audiences especially loved his pairing with Hema Malini. The pair worked together in 28 films. Then came a time when Dharmendra formed his own production house and produced three films, all of which were superhits. Around the same time, Hema Malini also directed three films, and all three were rejected by audiences.

Dharmendra produced three films over a 12-year period: "Betaab," "Ghayal," and "Ghaatak." All three were blockbuster hits. Meanwhile, the three films Hema Malini directed—"Dil Aashiina Hai," "Tell Me O Khuda," and "Mohini"—were not well-received by audiences.

Bobby Deol was also launched under Dharmendra's production company, Vijeta Films. The film was "Barsaat," and it was a superhit.

Dharmendra's path to the film world wasn't easy. In 1958, he entered the Filmfare Talent Contest and embarked on a journey that didn't have a single, definitive path, but rather a maze of detours. However, Dharmendra remained steadfast and determined, and this brought him success, fame, and wealth.

He made his Bollywood debut with the 1960 film "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere," but his first solo film on screen was "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966). For this film, he was also awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Hero. By the 1970s, this romantic hero began to be recognized as an action hero. It was during these 1970s that Dharmendra was voted one of the world's most handsome men. He was the first Indian to receive this honor. He also earned the title of "World Iron Man." In 1997, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work in films.

Audiences know Dharmendra for his 1975 film "Sholay," but that same year, another "He-Man" film was released, produced by Dharmendra's brother, Ajit Singh Deol. The film was titled "Pratigya," and starred Hema Malini opposite him. One of the film's songs, "Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana," was so popular that it remains popular even today. This film earned Dharmendra the tag of "Garam Dharam."

A funny dialogue from Sholay occurs when Veeru, drunk, climbs atop a water tank and creates a dramatic atmosphere for the villagers. He says, "Villagers, my last salute to you... goodbye..." and then adds, "This story has emotion, drama, and tragedy..." When Hema Malini enters the scene, Dharmendra says, "Villagers... death is canceled!"

The 70s were the era when superstar Rajesh Khanna reigned supreme in Bollywood, and the only actor who rivaled him was Dharmendra. Not only Sholay, but Dharmendra delivered a string of hits during this decade, including films like Jeevan Mrityu, Pratigya, Loafer, Dharamveer, and Yaadon Ki Baaraat.

Dharmendra was set to welcome audiences with another film in 2025. The film, titled "21," is ready for release. Before audiences could experience the joy of it, the "He-Man" who famously said, "Agar Tum Bhoola Na Deoge, Sapne Ye Sach Hi Honge, Hum Tum Juda Na Honge" (If you don't forget, these dreams will be true, we will never part), left his fans and the entire film industry behind.