Editing Dharmendra (section)

{{Short description|Indian actor, producer, and politician (born 1935)}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Dharmendra
| image               = Dharmendra 2012.jpg
| caption             = Dharmendra in 2012
| office              = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start          = 13 May 2004
| term_end            = 16 May 2009
| predecessor         = [[Rameshwar Lal Dudi]]
| successor           = [[Arjun Ram Meghwal]]
| constituency        = [[Bikaner (Lok Sabha constituency)|Bikaner]]
| birth_name          = Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1935|12|08|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[Nasrali]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Khushwant |date=18 November 2013 |title=Dharmendra unplugged |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/dharmendra-unplugged/story-MlrFAqdNcseLJAw8TvGWLM.html |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref><br />(present-day [[Punjab, India]])
| citizenship         = [[British Raj|British Indian]] (1935–1947)<br />Indian (1947–present)
| other_names         = 
| party               = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]
| spouse              = {{ublist|{{marriage|Prakash Kaur|1954}}|{{marriage|[[Hema Malini]]|1980}}}}
| children            = 6; (including [[Sunny Deol|Sunny]], [[Bobby Deol|Bobby]] and [[Esha Deol|Esha]])
| relatives           = See [[List of Hindi film families#Deol family|Deol family]]
| alma_mater          = Ramgarhia College, [[Phagwara]]<br />[[Panjab University, Chandigarh]]
| occupation          = {{hlist|Actor|politician}}
| awards              = [[Padma Bhushan]] (2012)
| signature           = Autograph Dharmendra.svg
| nickname            = {{hlist|''He-Man''|''Garam Dharam''}}
}}
'''Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol''' (born 8 December 1935), known mononymously as '''Dharmendra''', is an Indian actor, producer, and politician who is primarily known for his work in [[Hindi]] films. Dharmendra is widely considered one of the greatest, most handsome and commercially successful actors in the [[Cinema of India|history of Indian cinema]].<ref><small>* [https://archive.today/20250502013833/https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/movies/100-yrs-of-indian-cinema/dharmendras-toi-archives-100-years-of-indian-cinema/articleshow/20148582.cms Dharmendra's TOI Archives - 100 Years of Indian Cinema]. [[The Times of India|''The Times of India'']]. 20 May 2013. Archived from the [https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/movies/100-yrs-of-indian-cinema/dharmendras-toi-archives-100-years-of-indian-cinema/articleshow/20148582.cms orignal] on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025</small>

<small>* [https://archive.today/20250502014141/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/when-dharmendra-was-compared-to-a-hollywood-star-who-he-didn-t-recognise-uski-picture-hi-nahi-dekhi-thi-101642923670930.html When Dharmendra was compared to a Hollywood star who he didn't recognise: 'Uski picture hi nahi dekhi thi']. [[Hindustan Times|''Hindustan Times'']]. 23 January 2022. Archived from the [https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/when-dharmendra-was-compared-to-a-hollywood-star-who-he-didn-t-recognise-uski-picture-hi-nahi-dekhi-thi-101642923670930.html orignal] on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025</small>

<small>* [https://archive.today/20250502014513/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dharmendra-most-handsome-actor-in-bollywood-arjun-rampal/ Dharmendra most handsome actor in Bollywood: Arjun Rampal]. [[The Indian Express|''The Indian Express'']]. 16 June 2015. Archived from [https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dharmendra-most-handsome-actor-in-bollywood-arjun-rampal/ orignal] on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025</small>

<small>* [https://archive.today/20250502014806/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/madhuri-dixit-dharmendra-the-most-handsome-person-612103 Madhuri Dixit: Dharmendra the most handsome person]. [[NDTV|''NDTV'']]. 28 May 2013. Archived from [https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/madhuri-dixit-dharmendra-the-most-handsome-person-612103 original] on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025</small>

<small>* [https://archive.today/20250502015059/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dharmendra-shares-video-of-salman-khan-calling-him-icon-most-beautiful-looking-man-7625556/ Salman Khan calls Dharmendra ‘the most beautiful looking man’]. [[The Indian Express|''The Indian Express'']]. 16 November 2021. Archived from [https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/dharmendra-shares-video-of-salman-khan-calling-him-icon-most-beautiful-looking-man-7625556/ original] on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025</small></ref> He is nicknamed the "He-Man" of Bollywood. With a cinematic career spanning over six decades, he has worked in [[Dharmendra filmography|more than 300 films]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dharmendra - An actor & a gentleman {{!}} Filmfare.com |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/dharmendra-an-actor-a-gentleman-28495.html |access-date=2 May 2025 |website=www.filmfare.com |language=en}} “''In a career spanning 55 years, Dharmendra has worked in over 300 films. You don’t need to be Aryabhatta to figure that out, that’s an average of close to six films a year. European actors and filmmakers will tell you that the fact is plain preposterous. But it’s true. Dharmendra was nothing less than a film factory.''”</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 May 2024 |title=Dharmendra has a happy reunion with his old friends Ranjeet and Avtar Gill: 'Achaanak mil jaate hain jab' - See photos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dharmendra-has-a-happy-reunion-with-his-old-friends-ranjeet-and-avtar-gill-achaanak-mil-jaate-hain-jab-see-photos/articleshow/109893106.cms |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} ''Dharmendra has been a part of more than 300 films in the industry so far, and is fondly called the ‘Garam Dharam’''</ref> Dharmendra holds the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in [[Hindi cinema]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Abhimanyu |title=Bollywood's most successful actor has 74 hits, more than Shah Rukh, Salman Khan, Amitabh, yet was never called superstar |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-most-successful-actor-dharmendra-74-hits-never-called-superstar-shah-rukh-khan-salman-khan-amitabh-bachchan-101736338379454.html |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}} “''Even though this star had more hits than [[Amitabh Bachchan]] and [[Shah Rukh Khan]], he was never called a ‘superstar’ for a rather academic reason. Dharmendra has the distinction of delivering the most hits as an actor in the Hindi film industry. The actor has a record 74 hits to his name in films where he was either the lead or had a substantial role. Dharmendra has appeared in over 240 films. Of these, 94 have been successful (recovering their investments), and 74 have had the distinction of being called hits. This includes 7 blockbusters, and 13 super hits, notably Sholay, the all-time highest-grosser of Indian cinema.''”</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Abhimanyu |title=Bollywood's most successful actor has more hits than Shah Rukh, Salman, Amitabh, Aamir; was still never called superstar |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/photo-gallery-bollywood-s-most-successful-actor-dharmendra-never-called-superstar-not-shah-rukh-salman-amitabh-aamir-khan-3105713/bollywood-s-most-successful-actor-3105714 |access-date=17 January 2025 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> In 1987, Dharmendra delivered seven consecutive hits in a single year which is still a record in the history of [[Hindi cinema]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=30 January 2024 |title=Did you know Dharmendra gave seven consecutive hits in the year 1987? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/did-you-know-dharmendra-gave-seven-consecutive-hits-in-the-year-1987/articleshow/107266930.cms |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=4 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204033403/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/did-you-know-dharmendra-gave-seven-consecutive-hits-in-the-year-1987/articleshow/107266930.cms |url-status=live }} “ ''Dharmendra, an iconic figure in Bollywood, experienced a golden period in 1987 when 12 films graced the theaters consecutively, marking a zenith in his career.  In this year, Dharmendra achieved the feat by delivering seven consecutive hits out of the 12 releases''”</ref> He was honoured with the [[Padma Bhushan]], India's third highest civilian honour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2012 |title=Dharmendra, Shabana awarded Padma Bhushan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/entertainment/dharmendra-shabana-awarded-padma-bhushan/photo-gnR6WFNcsB7C0eeCUeEhiN.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805041544/https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/entertainment/dharmendra-shabana-awarded-padma-bhushan/photo-gnR6WFNcsB7C0eeCUeEhiN.html |archive-date=5 August 2021 |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with ''[[Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Joshi |first=Sumit |title=Bollywood Through Ages |publisher=Best Book Reads |isbn=9781311676696 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WHQWCgAAQBAJ&q=Arjun+Hingorani&pg=PT65}}</ref> He first gained popularity in the mid-1960s for films, such as ''[[Ayee Milan Ki Bela]]'', ''[[Phool Aur Patthar]]'' and ''[[Aaye Din Bahar Ke]]'', and achieved [[Movie star|greater stardom]] in later years, being dubbed India's "Garam Dharam" for several of his on-screen roles in Hindi films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/indepth-stories/dharmendra-bollywoods-dreamboat|title=Dharmendra, Bollywood's Dreamboat|date=8 December 2022|access-date=9 October 2024|archive-date=26 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126143630/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/indepth-stories/dharmendra-bollywoods-dreamboat|url-status=live}}</ref> He consistently starred in several successful Hindi films from the late-1960s to the 1980s, such as ''[[Ankhen (1968 film)|Ankhen]]'', ''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]'', ''[[Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke]]'', ''[[Jeevan Mrityu]]'', ''[[Mera Gaon Mera Desh]]'', ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'', ''[[Raja Jani]]'', ''[[Jugnu (1973 film)|Jugnu]]'', ''[[Yaadon Ki Baaraat]]'', ''[[Dost (1974 film)|Dost]]'', ''[[Sholay]]'', ''[[Pratigya (1975 film)|Pratiggya]]'', ''[[Charas (1976 film)|Charas]]'', ''[[Dharam Veer (film)|Dharam Veer]]'', ''[[Chacha Bhatija]]'', ''[[Ghulami]]'', ''[[Hukumat]]'', ''[[Aag Hi Aag]]'', ''[[Elaan-E-Jung]]'' and ''[[Tahalka]]'',<ref name="Rewinds">{{Cite news|title=Rewind - Sixty Years Of Dharmendra|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|work=Box Office India|language=en|date=24 November 2020|archive-date=12 July 2023|access-date=12 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712182139/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> as well as some of his acclaimed performances, include ''[[Anpadh]]'', ''[[Bandini (film)|Bandini]]'', ''[[Haqeeqat (1964 film)|Haqeeqat]]'', ''[[Anupama (1966 film)|Anupama]]'', ''[[Mamta (1966 film)|Mamta]]'', ''[[Majhli Didi]]'', ''[[Satyakam]]'', ''[[Naya Zamana]]'', ''[[Samadhi (1972 film)|Samadhi]]'', ''[[Resham Ki Dori]]'', ''[[Chupke Chupke (film)|Chupke Chupke]]'', ''[[Dillagi (1978 film)|Dillagi]]'', ''[[The Burning Train]]'', ''[[Do Dishayen]]'' and ''[[Hathyar (1989 film)|Hathyar]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jun/24dinesh.htm|title=All muscle, all heart: Dharmendra|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=12 August 2023|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304131225/https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jun/24dinesh.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/dharmendra-turns-88-from-anupama-to-sholay-10-films-that-define-his-timeless-legacy/phool-aur-patthar-1966-action-hero-emerges/slideshow/105832972.cms|title=Dharmendra Turns 88: From 'Anupama' To 'Sholay', 10 Films That Define His Timeless Legacy|date=8 December 2023|access-date=22 April 2024|archive-date=18 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318204258/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/dharmendra-turns-88-from-anupama-to-sholay-10-films-that-define-his-timeless-legacy/phool-aur-patthar-1966-action-hero-emerges/slideshow/105832972.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in the late 1990s, he appeared in [[character roles]] in several successful and acclaimed films, such as ''[[Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998 film)|Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya]]'', ''[[Life in a... Metro]]'', ''[[Apne]]'', ''[[Johnny Gaddaar]]'', ''[[Yamla Pagla Deewana]]'', ''[[Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani]]'' and ''[[Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=1|title=Dharmendra (Filmography)|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=19 March 2024|archive-date=19 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319060248/https://boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CNN-IBN">{{cite web |title=Review: Johnny Gaddaar is a delicious thriller  |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-johnny-gaddaar-is-a-delicious-thriller/49544-8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415162514/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/review-johnny-gaddaar-is-a-delicious-thriller/49544-8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 April 2009|date=29 September 2007 |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7962|title=Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani Emerges HIT Due to Overseas|website=Box Office India|access-date=24 August 2023|archive-date=24 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824075755/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7962|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, he received the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] for his contributions to [[Hindi cinema|Bollywood]]. He was a member of the [[15th Lok Sabha]] of [[India]], representing the [[Bikaner]] constituency in [[Rajasthan]] from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79881|title=Padma Awards|publisher=pib|date=27 January 2013|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524145714/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79881|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>