Editing Dharmendra (section)

===1978–1997: Continued success and occasional setbacks===

Post-1977, the quality of Dharmendra's films dropped and so the number of huge grossers, but his initial draw remained intact, owing to which the flow of successes continued till the 1990s.<ref name="Rewinds"/> In 1978, he had four major releases which included ''[[Shalimar (1978 film)|Shalimar]]'', ''[[Azaad (1978 film)|Azaad]]'', ''[[Dillagi (1978 film)|Dillagi]]'' and ''[[Phandebaaz]]''. Out of these, ''Shalimar'' and ''Phandebaaz'' were critical and commercial failures while ''Azaad'' and ''Dillagi'', both co-starring Malini emerged successful, especially the former which was a superhit as well as [[List of Hindi films of 1978|fourth highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8936|title=Game Changer Dull First Week - Emergency and Azaad Opening|date=17 January 2024}}</ref> The following year, he added one more superhit in his kitty with Mohan Sehgal's ''[[Kartavya (1979 film)|Kartavya]]'' and a successful film with Dulal Guha's ''[[Dil Kaa Heera]]''.<ref name=TG1979>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1979-Classificaiton.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification - 1979|access-date=28 August 2024|archive-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827205309/https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1979-Classificaiton.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Dharmendra began the 1980s with [[Ravi Chopra]]'s big-budget [[Action fiction|action thriller]] ''[[The Burning Train]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Poonam |date=27 July 2023 |title=Flooded cities, burning trains: Poonam Saxena on the timeless lure of cinematic disaster |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/the-burning-train-1980-a-disaster-film-of-its-time-documenting-film-history-and-trivia-for-nostalgia-101687610534404.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |quote=The story goes that BR Chopra's son Ravi Chopra saw The Towering Inferno (1974) while on a trip abroad and was very taken up with the story of a fire that engulfs the world's tallest skyscraper on its opening night. |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=2 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702052259/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/the-burning-train-1980-a-disaster-film-of-its-time-documenting-film-history-and-trivia-for-nostalgia-101687610534404.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The film co-starring [[Jeetendra]], [[Vinod Khanna]], Hema Malini and [[Parveen Babi]] didn't live up to the expectations and ended up as an average fare, however gained cult status in later years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/celebs/heres-why-the-burning-train-continues-to-be-the-coolest-disaster-thriller-film-522205.html|title=Here's Why The Burning Train Continues To Be The Coolest Disaster Thriller Film Till Date|date=7 September 2020|access-date=18 January 2024|archive-date=18 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118204915/https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/celebs/heres-why-the-burning-train-continues-to-be-the-coolest-disaster-thriller-film-522205.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His next two releases were - ''[[Adventures of Ali-Baba and the Forty Thieves (film)|Alibaba Aur 40 Chor]]'' and ''[[Ram Balram]]''. While the former was a moderate success, the latter in which he reunited with Bachchan proved to be a box office hit.<ref name=FI1980>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Inf-1980-Classification.jpg|title=Summing Up 1980 - Film Information Classification (1980)}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1981, he had a superhit in ''[[Kaatilon Ke Kaatil]]'', but other releases, such as ''[[Aas Paas]]'' and ''[[Krodhi]]'' failed to leave a mark while [[Brij Sadanah]]'s big-budget actioner ''[[Professor Pyarelal]]'' ended up as an average grosser.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 May 2020 |title=The Best Films Of Rishi Kapoor - Bobby Has Historic Numbers |publisher=boxofficeindia.com |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6050 |access-date=1 May 2020 |archive-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501110812/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6050 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/40-years-of-jackie-shroff-starrer-hero-director-subhash-ghai-hints-at-sequel-101702630889625.html|title=40 years of Jackie Shroff-starrer Hero: Director Subhash Ghai hints at sequel|work=Hindustan Times |date=18 December 2023}}</ref> This changed in 1982 as five of his films emerged commercial successes, these were - ''[[Rajput (film)|Rajput]]'', ''[[Badle Ki Aag]]'', ''[[Ghazab]]'', ''[[Baghavat]]'' and ''[[Samraat (film)|Samraat]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1982-Classification.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification 1982|access-date=10 September 2024|archive-date=8 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908141622/https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1982-Classification.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1983, Dharmendra delivered a hit in [[Rajkumar Kohli]]'s comedy film ''[[Naukar Biwi Ka]]'', followed by another success, ''[[Qayamat (1983 film)|Qayamat]]'', but his most anticipated film of that year, [[Kamal Amrohi]]'s [[Biographical film|period biographical]] film ''[[Razia Sultan (film)|Razia Sultan]]'' was a box office [[Box-office bomb|disaster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Inf-1983-Classification.jpg|title=Film Informatiom Classification 1983|access-date=17 September 2024|archive-date=8 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908124607/https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Inf-1983-Classification.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kamal Amrohi's dream film Razia Sultan bombs at the box-office |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19831015-kamal-amrohi-dream-film-razia-sultan-bombs-at-the-box-office-771082-2013-07-17 |last=Kapoor |first=Sunil Sethi Coomi |website=[[India Today]] |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=21 May 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217041352/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19831015-kamal-amrohi-dream-film-razia-sultan-bombs-at-the-box-office-771082-2013-07-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next year, he had seven releases, out of which ''[[Baazi (1984 film)|Baazi]]'', ''[[Jagir (film)|Jagir]]'', ''[[Jeene Nahi Doonga]]'' and ''[[Dharm Aur Qanoon]]'' did reasonable business, but rest were critical and commercial failures.<ref name="FI1984">{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Information-1984-Classifica.jpg|title=FI Classification (1984)}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 1985, Dharmendra starred in [[J. P. Dutta]]'s action drama film ''[[Ghulami]]'' which also had [[Mithun Chakraborty]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Reena Roy]] and [[Smita Patil]] in the lead. The film opened to positive reviews from critics and emerged a superhit as well as one of the top five highest-earners of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1985-Classification.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification 1985}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Its song, "Zeehale Muskin Makun ba-Ranjish", sung by [[Lata Mangeshkar]] and [[Shabbir Kumar]] was a chartbuster and was featured in the year-end annual list of [[Binaca Geetmala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keepalivebollywood.com/binacageetmala/search-detail/page=2|title=Binaca Geetmala (1985)}}</ref> The following year, he had another commercial success with Ambrish Sangal's ''[[Begaana (1986 film)|Begaana]]'' (1986), co-starring [[Kumar Gaurav]] and [[Rati Agnihotri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Inf-Classification-1986.jpg|title=Film Information Classification (1986)}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Dharmendra returned to the big league in 1987 by delivering eight successful films in the year. His first two releases were - Rajkumar Kohli's and [[Raj N. Sippy]]'s actioners ''[[Insaniyat Ke Dushman]]'' and ''[[Loha (1987 film)|Loha]]'', respectively, both of which proved to be box office hits.<ref name=TG1987>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classification-1987.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification 1987}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He then appeared in ''[[Dadagiri (film)|Dadagiri]]'', ''[[Hukumat]]'' and ''[[Aag Hi Aag]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aag Hi Aag |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/aag_hi_aag_1987}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author=Kanwar, Rachna |title=25 Must See Bollywood Movies |date=3 October 2005 |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-10.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033756/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837%2Ccurpg-10.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Indiatimes movies |accessdate=8 November 2010 }}</ref>  While ''Dadagiri'' was an average fare, the latter two went on to become superhits with ''Hukumat'' emerging as the [[List of Hindi films of 1987|highest-grossing film of the year]].<ref name=TG1987/> This was followed by [[T. Rama Rao]]'s hit venture ''[[Watan Ke Rakhwale]]'' and two more successful films, ''[[Insaaf Kaun Karega]]'' with [[Rajinikanth]] and ''[[Insaf Ki Pukar]]'', co-starring Jeetendra.<ref name=TG1987/> His other hit ventures of the decade, include ''[[Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988 film)|Khatron Ke Khiladi]]'' (1988) and ''[[Elaan-E-Jung]]'' (1989).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/FI-1988-Classifications.jpg|title=Film Information Classification (1988)}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6251|title=Rewind - Twenty Years Of Gadar|date=15 June 2021|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119053002/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6251|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the advent of the 1990s, Dharmendra's star power began to wane. From 1990 to 1992, his successful films included ''[[Sridevi|Naakabandi]]'' (1990), ''[[Veeru Dada]]'' (1990), ''[[Humse Na Takrana]]'' (1990), ''[[Kohraam]]'' (1991), ''[[Virodhi (1992 film)|Virodhi]]'' (1992) and ''[[Tahalka]]'' (1992), which also proved to be his final hit as a lead actor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/FI-Classification-1990.jpg|title=FI Classification (1990)}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1991-Classifications-P1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1991)}}{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="auto"/> In 1993, he appeared in J. P. Dutta's ensemble action film ''[[Kshatriya (film)|Kshatriya]]'' co-starring [[Sunil Dutt]], [[Vinod Khanna]], [[Rakhee Gulzar]], [[Sanjay Dutt]], [[Sunny Deol]], [[Meenakshi Seshadri]], [[Raveena Tandon]] and [[Divya Bharti]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kshatriya|title=Kshatriya &#124; Rotten Tomatoes|website=www.rottentomatoes.com|access-date=24 April 2024|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422221801/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kshatriya|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Kshatriya'' took a record opening, but collections dropped after it was pulled from theatres owing to Dutt's involvement in the [[1993 Bombay bombings]] and it ended up as a flop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4419|title=Opening Day Records Since 1990 - 34 Films|date=9 November 2019|access-date=8 December 2024|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328143742/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4419|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/why-1993-multi-starrer-film-kshatriya-flopped-because-of-sanjay-dutt-8732108.html|title=Why 1993 Multi-starrer Film Kshatriya Flopped Because Of Sanjay Dutt|date=8 January 2024|access-date=2 February 2024|archive-date=16 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616051736/https://www.news18.com/movies/why-1993-multi-starrer-film-kshatriya-flopped-because-of-sanjay-dutt-8732108.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the mid-1990s, he delivered average fares in ''[[Policewala Gunda]]'' (1995) and ''[[Mafia (1996 film)|Mafia]]'' (1996), but his other releases, including biggies, such as ''[[Maidan-E-Jung]]'' (1995) and ''[[Return of Jewel Thief]]'' (1996) proved to be box office failures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2976|title=Policewala Gunda -Movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2798|title=Mafia- Movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3004|title=Maidan-E-Jung – Movie|publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2744|title=Return Of Jewel Thief – Movie|publisher=[[Box Office India]]|access-date=18 December 2023|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407052234/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2744|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1997, Dharmendra received the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]]. While accepting the award from [[Dilip Kumar]] and his wife [[Saira Banu]], he became emotional and remarked that he had never won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] despite having worked in so many successful films and nearly a hundred popular films.<ref>{{cite web|title=The real stars of Bollywood|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/11corner.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=23 December 2010|date=11 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310070326/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/11corner.htm|archive-date=10 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Speaking on this occasion [[Dilip Kumar]] commented, "Whenever I get to meet with God Almighty, I will set before him my only complaint – why did you not make me as handsome as Dharmendra?".<ref>{{cite web|title=I was the Salman Khan of my days: Dharmendra|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/i-was-the-salman-khan-of-my-days-dharmendra/495016/0|work=The Financial Express|access-date=23 December 2010|date=28 July 2009|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011132933/https://www.financialexpress.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>