New Delhi: Bollywood is mourning the death of one of its most iconic stars, Dharmendra, known as the “He-Man of Indian cinema”, who died on Monday at the age of 89.
Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, Punjab, Dharmendra’s journey from a small-town boy to a cinematic legend spanned six decades. He made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and went on to act in over 300 films and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His memorable performances in classic films like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Haqeeqat, Guddi, The Burning Train and Dharam Veer earned him widespread praise and the affectionate title of “He-Man” for his swashbuckling charm and action-packed roles.
Recognized for his immense contribution to the arts, Dharmendra was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan.
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Early life and inspiration
Born in a Punjabi Jat family, Dharmendra’s father was a school teacher. His native village, Dango near Ludhiana, remained close to his heart throughout his life. Inspired by the legendary actor Dilip Kumar, he pursued his dream of acting and became one of the most loved stars of Bollywood.
Dharmendra Family Tree
Dharmendra’s personal life was also in the headlines. He was married twice and had six children and 13 grandchildren, forming one of Bollywood’s most famous dynasties.
marriage with prakash kaur
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19. The couple had four children:
Sunny Deol: Debuted with Betaab (1983) and starred in hit films like Ghayal, Border and Damini. Later he became a director with passion. Married to Pooja (Linda) Deol, he has two sons: Karan Deol (Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas) and Rajveer Deol.
Bobby Deol: Known for films like Gupta, Soldier and web series Ashram. Married to Tanya Ahuja, he has two sons: Aryaman and Dharam Deol.
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Vijayta Deol: Married to Vivek Gill, they have two children, Prerna and Sahil Gill.
Ajita Deol: Lives in the United States with her husband, Dr. Kiran Choudhary, and two daughters, Dr. Nikita Meena and Dr. Priyanka Choudhary.
marriage with hema malini
During the filming of Sholay, Dharmendra fell in love with actress Hema Malini and married her in 1980. The couple have two daughters:
Esha Deol: Married to actor and trained classical dancer, entrepreneur Bharat Takhtani; They have two daughters, Radhya and Miraya Takhtani.
Ahana Deol: A trained Odissi dancer, she is married to Vaibhav Vohra; They have twin daughters, Astraea and Adia, and a son, Darian.
Extended family in films
The cinematic legacy extends beyond Dharmendra himself. His younger brother Ajit Singh Deol was also an actor and producer. Dharmendra’s nephew Abhay Deol has earned critical acclaim for films like Socha Na Tha, Dev.D and Oye Lucky! Lucky oye!
Dharmendra’s demise marks the end of an era in Bollywood, leaving behind unforgettable performances, a vast cinematic family and a generation of fans who continue to celebrate his eternal charm and charisma.