31 Facts About Dharmendra

1.

Dharmendra was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from Bharatiya Janata Party.

2.

Dharmendra was born Dharam Singh Deol in Sahnewal, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab on 8 December 1935 to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur into a Jat Sikh family.

3.

Dharmendra spent his early life in the village of Sahnewal and studied at Government Senior Secondary School at Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, where his father was the village school headmaster.

4.

Dharmendra was the winner of Filmfare magazine's nationally organised new talent award and went to Mumbai from Punjab, to work in the movie promised, being the award winner, but the movie was never made.

5.

Dharmendra later made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960.

6.

Dharmendra had a supporting role in the film Boy Friend in 1961, and was cast as the romantic interest in several films between 1960 and 1967.

7.

Dharmendra worked with Nutan in Soorat Aur Seerat, Bandini, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, and Dulhan Ek Raat Ki ; with Mala Sinha in Anpadh, Pooja Ke Phool, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi, and Ankhen ; with Nanda in Akashdeep ; and with Saira Banu in Shaadi, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, in which he was the second lead, but with negative portents, and Resham Ki Dori.

8.

Dharmendra formed a successful pairing with Meena Kumari and shared the screen in 7 films namely Main Bhi Ladki Hoon, Kaajal, Purnima, Phool Aur Patthar, Majhli Didi, Chandan Ka Palna and Baharon Ki Manzil.

9.

Dharmendra had a solo hero role in Phool Aur Patthar, which was his first action film.

10.

Phool Aur Paththar became the highest-grossing film of 1966 and Dharmendra was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the first time.

11.

Dharmendra was given a souvenir at the 14th National Film Awards in recognition of his performance in the film.

12.

Dharmendra did romantic roles in films like Aaye Milan Ki Bela, Aaya Sawan Jhoomke, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Ishq Par Zor Nahin, Pyar Hi Pyar and Jeevan Mrityu.

13.

Dharmendra did suspense thrillers like Shikar, Blackmail, Kab Kyun Aur Kahan and Keemat.

14.

Dharmendra received a Filmfare Best Actor nomination for an action hero role in the 1971 hit film Mera Gaon Mera Desh.

15.

Dharmendra went on to star in a number of action films between 1976 and 1984, including Dharam Veer, Charas, Azaad, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Ghazab, Rajput, Baghawat, Jaani Dost, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Main Intequam Loonga, Jeene Nahi Doonga, Hukumat and Raaj Tilak.

16.

Dharmendra worked with Jeetendra in Dharmveer, Samraat, Burning Train, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Kinara, Dharam Karma and Nafrat Ki Aandhi.

17.

Dharmendra played con man or gangster in Shalimar, Qayamat, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Jhuta Sach, Sitamgar, Professor Pyarelal and Phandebaaz.

18.

Dharmendra has worked with various directors, each with a different style of film-making.

19.

Dharmendra worked with director Pramod Chakravorty in Naya Zamana, Dream Girl, Azaad and Jugnu.

20.

Dharmendra has played dual roles in many films such as Yakeen as both the hero and the villain, Samadhi as father and son, Ghazab as twin brothers, lookalikes in Jhutha Sach and Jeeo Shaan Se in triple roles.

21.

Dharmendra has worked with all members of the Kapoor family except for Prithviraj Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

22.

Dharmendra experimented with film production; he launched both of his sons in films: Sunny Deol in Betaab and Bobby Deol in Barsaat as well as his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha.

23.

Dharmendra was the presenter for his films like Satyakam and Kab Kyun Aur Kahan.

24.

In one of her interviews, actress Preity Zinta has been quoted as saying that Dharmendra is her favourite actor.

25.

Dharmendra recommended him to play her father's role in Har Pal.

26.

Dharmendra served as a Member of the Indian Parliament from Bharatiya Janata Party representing Bikaner in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009.

27.

Dharmendra rarely attended Parliament when the house was in session, preferring to spend the time shooting for movies or doing farm-work at his farm house, for which he was again widely criticized.

28.

In 2011, Dharmendra replaced Sajid Khan as the male judge of the third series of popular reality show India's Got Talent.

29.

In 1983, Dharmendra set up a production company known as Vijayta Films.

30.

Dharmendra then launched the career of his younger son, Bobby, in 1995 in Barsaat, which was again a Box office hit.

31.

Dharmendra had two sons from this marriage, Sunny and Bobby, both successful film actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta.