In today’s weekend blog, I am on Bollywood.
Friends, a few days ago, actor Dharmendra passed away. He was widely regarded as one of the most commercially successful and best-looking stars in the history of Indian cinema. In a career spanning 65 years, he worked in over 300+ films, holding the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Bollywood. He was born on 8th December 1935, in Nasrali, Punjab, and expired on 24th November 2025.
He started his career in 1960 with ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’. He first gained popularity in the 1960s with Aayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Pathar and aaye Din Bahar Ke. He consistently starred in several successful Hindi films from late 1960s to the 1980s, such as Ankhen, Shikar, Jeevan Mrityu, Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dost, Dharam Veer,Chacha Bhatija and many more. Some of his acclaimed performances acme in films like Haqeeqat, Bandini, Anupama, Blackmail, Satyakam , Naya Zamana, Chupke Chupke, Sholay, The Burning Train and Hatyar.
In 1980, he married film star Hema Malini, without divorcing his first wife. For his 2nd marriage, he temporarily embracd Islam.
In 1983, he set up a production company known as Vijayta Films, named after his eldest daughter, to launch his eldest son Sunny Deol in Betaab. Later he launched his other son Booby Deol in 1995, with film called Barsaat.
He was widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities in Indian cinema. He was considered one of the most handsome men in the world during his early career and is widely known as “He Man” of Bollywood. He was note for his affection and his appeal to his female fan base is said to be in the “tens of millions”.
Controversially, while he did receive Padma Bhushan, and “consolation prize” (the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award), he never won an award for acting. His most notable acting performances include Satyakam, Chupke-Chupke, and Sholay. Dharmendra appeared in Box Office India’s ‘Top Actors’ list eighteen times from 1968 to 1984 and 1987. Topped the list four times (1972-75).
Most of his films had a great musical scores, and given below are top ten hit songs of Dharmendra of my choice. The list is in random order.
1 Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho– Blackmail (1973). Kishore Kumar (Singer-S), Rajender Krishan (Lyricist-L), Kalynji Anandji (Music Director-MD). On screen with Raakhi. YouTube link is
https://youtu.be/AMuRRXCuy-4?si=DkVLTgD_enfBniDS
2 Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaa Hai– Loafer (1973). Mohd. Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Mumtaz.
https://youtu.be/AMuRRXCuy-4?si=DkVLTgD_enfBniDS
3 Yeh Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin- Izzaat (1968). Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Tanuja.
https://youtu.be/UbrJ0QmAxiQ?si=kG3GGu9d4AJOhLuZ
4 Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The– Shalimar (1978). Kishore Kumar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD).
https://youtu.be/UbrJ0QmAxiQ?si=kG3GGu9d4AJOhLuZ
5 Ya Dil Ki Suno Duniya Walon– Anupama (1966). Kaifi Azmi (L), Hemant Kumar (S & MD).
https://youtu.be/poXBa76JNKk?si=38FlrSkqgJ9D2Yky
6 Yeh DostiHum Nahin Todenge– Sholay (1975). Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey (S), Anand Bakshi (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/qfCt1UZAXMQ?si=DYxguueQrmtfORce
7 Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana– Pratigya (1975). Mohd. Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Hema Malini.
https://youtu.be/JpH2A7jMfjY?si=kBIW8mgkFq9bV1Qn
8 Are Rafta Rafta Dekho Aankh Meri Ladi Hai– Kahani Kismat Ki (1977).Kishore Kumar (S), Rajender Krishan (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Rekha.
https://youtu.be/JpH2A7jMfjY?si=kBIW8mgkFq9bV1Qn
9 Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga– Jeevan Mrityu (1970), Mohd Rafi & Lata mangeshkar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Raakhi.
https://youtu.be/JpH2A7jMfjY?si=kBIW8mgkFq9bV1Qn
10 O Meeri Mehbooba, Tujhe Jaana hai To Jaa– Dharam Veer (19770. Mohd Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Zeena Aman.
https://youtu.be/vbVfCv8r7vc?si=dPZK2Wc9QiDGfcoH
In the end, although Dharmendra is not physically present in this world, but he will be always remembered through his films and songs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th November 2025