Actor Dharmendra was born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village, Punjab, India. He lived to the age of 89 and became one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, known as the “He-Man of Indian cinema.”

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Dharmendra, whose full name is Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, grew up in a modest Sikh family in Punjab. His childhood was spent in Sahnewal, Ludhiana district. He studied at Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan, and later attended Ramgarhia College, Phagwara. His education was simple, but his passion for films was strong from an early age.

He entered Bollywood in 1960 with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His natural charm and strong screen presence quickly made him popular. By the mid-1960s, he was recognized as a leading romantic hero. His role in Phool Aur Patthar (1966) established him as a star.

During the 1970s, Dharmendra became famous for action roles. His performance in Sholay (1975) as Veeru remains one of the most loved characters in Indian cinema. He acted in more than 300 films across romance, comedy, and drama. His versatility earned him the nickname “He-Man of Bollywood.”

Dharmendra also worked as a film producer. He launched his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol into Bollywood, continuing the Deol family legacy. His daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol also entered the film industry through their mother, actress Hema Malini, whom Dharmendra married in 1980.

Apart from films, Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009, representing Bikaner in Rajasthan under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His political career showed his interest in public service beyond cinema.

He received several honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 2012, one of India’s highest civilian awards. He also won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Dharmendra continued acting even in his later years, appearing in films like Yamla Pagla Deewana alongside his sons. His long career made him one of the most respected figures in Bollywood.

He passed away on November 11, 2025, in Mumbai at the age of 89. His death marked the end of an era in Indian cinema. Fans and colleagues remembered him as a legend who brought strength, humor, and romance to the screen.

Actor Dharmendra Early Life and Background

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in the village of Nasrali, Punjab, British India. His childhood was spent in the village of Sahnewal in the Ludhiana district, a deeply rural setting that instilled in him the rugged, earthy charm that would later define his “He-Man” screen persona. He was raised in a conservative Jat Sikh household. His father, Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, worked as a school headmaster, a respectable profession that emphasized discipline and education. His mother, Satwant Kaur, was a homemaker. The family moved to Sahnewal village where Dharmendra spent most of his formative years. Life was simple and humble, focused on agricultural rhythms and local schooling. Unlike many of his metropolitan contemporaries in Indian cinema legends, Dharmendra’s initial exposure to film came through infrequent visits to the nearest town cinema. His passion for acting was ignited by watching movies, particularly those starring Dilip Kumar. This early environment, far removed from the glamour of Mumbai, provided him with a grounded, relatable authenticity that instantly connected with the common man across India, launching the foundations of the powerful Deol family dynasty in Bollywood.

Actor Dharmendra Education

Dharmendra’s education was typical of a rural middle-class boy in pre- and post-Partition Punjab. He attended the Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan, for his early schooling. While he was a capable student, his primary passion increasingly lay outside the classroom. He went on to pursue higher studies at Ramgarhia College, Phagwara. Though he briefly attended Panjab University, Chandigarh, his formal academic pursuits were often overshadowed by his consuming ambition to become an actor. He recognized that the traditional path of a college graduate would not fulfill his dream. At a time when Bollywood was dominated by polished, English-speaking stars, Dharmendra lacked both the connections and the formal urban training. This meant his real education came through struggle, observation, and relentless self-belief. His decision to leave the relative security of his life in Punjab for the daunting, competitive world of Mumbai without a safety net demonstrated the courage and determination that characterized his future Bollywood He-Man image.

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Actor Dharmendra Entry into Bollywood

Dharmendra’s entry into Bollywood was a testament to his raw ambition and perseverance. His early years in Mumbai were marked by intense struggles and auditions. He initially won a talent contest sponsored by Filmfare magazine in 1958, a competition designed to find new talent. This small victory provided the necessary ticket to Mumbai. Despite this initial break, the next two years were difficult; he faced financial hardship and relentless rejection. His persistence finally paid off with his breakthrough in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. Though the film wasn’t a blockbuster, it established him as a young lead. He quickly transitioned into his role as a romantic hero in the 1960s, starring in hits like Bandini and Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya. His powerful physique and innocent charm made him a refreshing contrast to the existing male leads, carving out a unique space for the future patriarch of the Deol family. This early success was fueled entirely by his personal courage and determination, setting him on a path to legendary status among Indian cinema legends.

Actor Dharmendra Career Highlights

Dharmendra’s career highlights showcase his versatility across nearly six decades and over 300 films. He earned the definitive nickname He-Man of Bollywood for his action roles, particularly after his pivotal performance in Phool Aur Patthar (1966), which was his first major action hit and cemented his image as a rugged tough guy. However, his appeal lay in his ability to switch genres seamlessly. He excelled in comedy, delivering brilliant, subtle performances in films like Chupke Chupke (1975). He also starred in intense dramas such as Satyakam. His most iconic and globally recognized role was as the witty, lovable rogue Veeru in Sholay (1975), a film that remains a benchmark of Indian cinema and cemented his place alongside Amitabh Bachchan as a cultural icon. The ability to work across genres—romance, comedy, action, drama—ensured his longevity and enduring popularity, transforming him into a true legend of Indian cinema legends and securing his reputation as Bollywood’s favorite Bollywood He-Man.

Actor Dharmendra Political Career

Dharmendra’s influence extended beyond the silver screen into public service. He successfully transitioned into a political career later in his life. He was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of India’s major political parties. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan. His term in office spanned from 2004 to 2009. While his attendance record and political engagement were often criticized due to his continued commitment to acting and his initial unfamiliarity with the demands of political life, his election demonstrated the enduring power of his star appeal. His contributions to public life beyond cinema included utilizing his platform to raise awareness for social issues, though his political tenure was less defined by legislative achievements than his acting career. His time in Parliament positioned him among the few Indian cinema legends who sought to influence the nation’s political landscape directly.

Actor Dharmendra Achievements and Awards

Dharmendra’s massive contribution to Indian culture and cinema was officially recognized by both the industry and the state. His list of achievements and awards is extensive, reflecting his status as one of India’s most beloved and versatile actors. The Indian government honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 2012, the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, acknowledging his monumental contributions to Indian cinema over five decades. The industry itself honored him with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, a recognition of his enduring appeal and the sheer volume of his work across all genres. He received numerous other distinctions, including the World Stunt Award and various state honors. His legacy isn’t just about box-office success; it’s about the widespread affection he commanded, cemented by these national and industry awards, solidifying his place among true Indian cinema legends and ensuring the prestige of the Deol family.

Actor Dharmendra Personal Life and Family

Dharmendra’s Personal Life and Family history is notably complex, defined by two marriages. His first marriage was in 1954 to Prakash Kaur, before he achieved fame. They had four children: two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol (both of whom became actors), and two daughters. Despite his fame and subsequent relationships, this marriage was never dissolved. In 1980, he married actress Hema Malini, his frequent co-star and one of the biggest stars of the era, after reportedly converting to Islam to facilitate the marriage under personal law, as Hindu marriage law did not permit polygamy. They had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, both of whom also pursued careers in acting or dancing. The Deol family dynasty is thus a blended one, with his children from both marriages finding success in Bollywood. This unique, large family structure is a permanent part of the Deol family narrative and the Indian cinema legends history.

Actor Dharmendra Later Years and Death

Dharmendra’s final years saw him gracefully manage the challenges of age while maintaining his creative output. He continued his acting in films and guest appearances well into his 80s, often appearing in roles alongside his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, such as in the Yamla Pagla Deewana series. In 2025, his age-related health issues became more prominent. He was hospitalized several times, attracting intense media attention and prayers from millions of fans worldwide. Dharmendra passed away on November 11, 2025, in Mumbai at the age of 89. His death prompted a period of national mourning, marking the loss of one of India’s most cherished Indian cinema legends. His passing, though saddened, was celebrated as the final curtain call for a giant of Indian cinema legends whose life spanned one of the most transformative periods in his nation’s history.

Actor Dharmendra Age (The Verified Birth Year and Current Status)

Actor Dharmendra Age is 89 years old. He was born on December 8, 1935.

Actor Dharmendra Wife (Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini: The Two Marriages)

Actor Dharmendra wife is Hema Malini. They married in 1980 after working together in many films. Before that, Dharmendra was married to Prakash Kaur in 1954, and they had four children together. With Hema Malini, he has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

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Actor Dharmendra Children (Sons, Daughters, and Family Lineage)

Actor Dharmendra children include six in total. From his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, he has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, both successful Bollywood actors, and two daughters, Vijeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol, who live private lives away from films. From his marriage to actress Hema Malini, he has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, both of whom have worked in the film industry.

Actor Dharmendra Profile Table (Quick Facts and Data Overview)

Profile	Information
Actor Dharmendra career	Actor (Bollywood He-Man); Producer; Politician (Lok Sabha member 2004–2009); Star of Sholay movie; Padma Bhushan award recipient.
Actor Dharmendra real name	Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol
Actor Dharmendra age	89 (Died November 11, 2025)
Actor Dharmendra date of birth	December 8, 1935
Actor Dharmendra net worth	Not known (Family estimated net worth is in the hundreds of millions of USD, but personal fortune is private.)
Actor Dharmendra wife / spouse	1. Prakash Kaur (m. 1954) 2. Hema Malini (m. 1980)
Actor Dharmendra children	6 (Sons: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol; Daughters: Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, and two daughters from his first marriage.)
Actor Dharmendra parents	Father: Kewal Kishan Singh Deol; Mother: Satwant Kaur
Actor Dharmendra religion	Jat Sikh (Reportedly converted to Islam in 1980 to marry Hema Malini, though this is debated.)
Actor Dharmendra state of origin	Punjab, India (Born in Nasrali, Ludhiana district)
Actor Dharmendra alma mater	Panjab University, Chandigarh; Ramgarhia College, Phagwara.
Actor Dharmendra education	Brief attendance at Panjab University (Higher Education); Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton Kalan (Secondary).
Actor Dharmendra nationality	Indian