In my last 2 weekend blogs, I had written about Manoj Kumar & Shashi Kapoor. In my today’s blog I am writing about last member of the troika:
DHARMENDRA
He was born on 8th Dec 1935, his original name is Dharam Singh Deol in a Punjabi Jat family. He spent his early life in village Sahnewal (Punjab). He was winner of Filmfare magazine’s talent contest, went to Bombay to work in the movie promised being the winner, but that movie never happened, He later made his debut with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. He was cast as the romantic interest in several films in 60s Soorat Aur Seerat (1962), Bandini (1963), Anpadh (1962), Pooja Ke Phool (1964), and many others. He got the biggest hit of his career, at that stage with Phool Aur Pathar (1965). It was alleged that after this film he was involved with n my lat 2 weekend blogsMeena Kumari, who helped his to establish his career. They acted in 7 films together between 1965 and 1968. In the 1966 he was highly appreciated as actor in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anupma, with him he had very successful combination and did several films together notably among them were Satyakaam and Chupke Chupke.
He had most successful pairing with Hema Malini, and they worked together in 25 films, notable among them were Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Naya Zamana Dost, Jugnu, Charas, Chacha Bhatija, and biggest film of the
last millennium Sholay. He went on star in many action films between 1976 and 1984 including Dharaveer, Katilon Ke Katil, Rajput, Bagawat, Main Inteqaam Loonga, Hukumat and many more.
He is one of the rare actor who has worked with all the members of Kapoor family in his early career except for Prithviraj Kapoor .
He also acted in many films in Punjabi (his mother tongue), some of them were Kankan De Ohle, Do Sher, Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam , Putt Jattan De, Qurbani Jatt Di etc.
He acted in many films in 80s, some notable films of this decade were Ram Balraam, The Burning train, Aas Paas, Razia Sultan, Naukar Biwi Ka Baazi,Ghulami, Loha, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Batwara.
After the 80s he acted in many films , and he is still acting, but in these films he was not leading man, either the films were multi star cast with younger leading pair or as a supporting actor. Only films which can be remembered were Kal Ki Awaaz, Kshatriya,, Loha, Pyar Kya to Darna Kya, Life in Metro, Johny Gaddar and Yamla Pagla Deewana.
In all, during his career spanning over 6 decades till 2020, he has acted in more than 275 films and at the age of 85 he is still ready to act.
In 1983, he started his production house Vijeeta Films to launch his son Sunny Deol, the film was Betaab. He also launched his second son Bobby Deol in 1995 with film Barsaat.
His personal life- His first marriage was to Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. He had 2 sons (Sunny and Bobby) and 2 daughters (Vijeeta and Ajeeta) from this marriage. It is alleged that he converted to Islam to marry Hema Malini 19 1980, as he never wanted to divorce his first wife Prakash. From his second marriage with Hema, he has 2 daughters Esha and Aahna. Eaha deol acted in few films in 2000s but did not achieve great success.
He served as Member of Parliament from Bikaner from 2004 to 2009, but he rarely attended the parliament.
He could not dance in a proper way, in the films choreographers generally used to tell him, do as you like, but some of his songs were super hits. I am listing below some of my favourite songs of Dharmendra :
1 Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein Awaaz Na Do- Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (F), Mukesh (S), Shamim Jaipuri (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD).
2 In Baharon Mein Akele Na Phiro- Mamta (F), Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), Roshan (MD). On screen with Suchitra Sen.
3 Aapke Haseen Rukhpe Aaj Naya Noor Hai- Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (F). Mohd Rafi (S), Anjaan (L), OP Nayyar (MD).
4 Ya Dil Ki Suno Duniya Walon- Anupama (F), Kaifi Azmi (L) Hemant Kumar (S& MD).
5 Main Kahin Kavi Na Ban Jaoon, Tere Pyar Mein Ae Kavita- Pyar Hi Pyar (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
6 Jhilmil Sitaron ka Aangan Hoga- Jeevan Mrityu (F), Moha Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar(S), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Raakhi.
7 Abhi To Haath Mein Jaam Hai- Seeta Aur Geeta (F), Manna Dey (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD).
8 Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai- Loafer (F), Moh Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD).
9 Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri Ladi Hai- Kahani Kismet KI (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Rajendra Krishan (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Rekha.
10 Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho- Blackmail (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Rajendra Krishan (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD).
11 Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana- Pratigya (F), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD)
12 Holi Ke Din,Dil Khil Jaate Hain- Aholay (1975), Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Hema Malini.
13 O Meri Mehbooba, Tujhe Jaana Hai To Ja- Dharamveer (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi(L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD).
14 Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The- Shalimaar (F), Kishore Kumar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD).
15 Tumhi Pukar Lo, Tumhara Intezaar Hai- Khamoshi (F), Gulzaar (L), Hemant Kumar (S & MD).
Dharmendra is one unique actor, who has done all types of roles be it romantic, social drama, comedy and action. In my opinion he is the only actor who has worked in films for last 6 decades, who is still wanting to work, if he likes the role suiting his age.
Waiting your feed backs/comments/views.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
25th December 2020.
R. N. Mungale.
Dharmendra is a really good actor.