Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, born on December 8, 1935, is a renowned Indian actor, producer, and politician, widely recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Often referred to as the “He-Man” of Bollywood, Dharmendra is celebrated as one of the greatest actors in Indian film history and is considered one of the most handsome actors of all time. In 2012, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, reflecting his significant impact on the film industry. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has appeared in over 200 films.
Dharmendra Biography 2025
Dharmendra made his film debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He gained popularity in the mid-1960s with hits like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Kaajal, and Phool Aur Patthar. His fame soared in subsequent years, earning him the nickname “Garam Dharam” for his iconic roles in various Hindi films. He starred in numerous successful films from the late 1960s through the 1980s, including Ankhen, Shikar, Seeta Aur Geeta, and the legendary Sholay. He has also received acclaim for performances in films like Haqeeqat, Anupama, and Chupke Chupke. In the late 1990s, he transitioned to character roles in notable films such as Life in a… Metro and Yamla Pagla Deewana. In 1997, he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive contributions to Bollywood. Additionally, he served as a member of the 15th Lok Sabha, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dharmendra Biography Details
| Born |
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol
8 December 1935 (age 88)
Nasrali, Punjab, British India[1]
(present-day Punjab, India) |
| Nationality |
British Indian (1935–1947)
Indian (1947–present) |
| Political party |
Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Spouses |
|
| Children |
6; (including Sunny, Bobby and Esha) |
| Relatives |
See Deol family |
| Alma mater |
Ramgarhia College, Phagwara
Panjab University, Chandigarh |
| Occupation |
|
| Awards |
Padma Bhushan (2012) |
Dharmendra Early Life
Born in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab, Dharmendra was raised in a Punjabi Jat family. He spent his early years in the village of Sahnewal and attended Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, where his father was the headmaster. After completing his matriculation in Phagwara in 1952, he moved to Bombay to pursue a career in film.
Dharmendra’s first marriage was to Prakash Kaur in 1954, before he entered the film industry. The couple had two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, both of whom became successful actors, along with two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta. After achieving fame, Dharmendra married actress Hema Malini, which stirred controversy due to his previous marriage. The couple starred in several films together, including the classic Sholay, and has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. His family continues to be involved in the film industry; his grandson Karan Deol made his acting debut in 2019, followed by Rajveer Deol in 2023. Dharmendra resides primarily at his farmhouse in Lonavala but maintains a family home in Juhu, Mumbai. In 2023, he expressed feelings of neglect from the Bollywood industry, noting that his family’s contributions to cinema have not been fully appreciated.
Dharmendra Bio
| Field |
Information |
| Real Name |
Dharm Singh Deol |
| Nickname(s) |
Dharam, Garam Dharam, He-Man of Bollywood |
| Profession(s) |
Film Actor, Producer, Former Politician |
| Height |
173 cm (5′ 8″) |
| Eye Colour |
Brown |
| Hair Colour |
Black (Dyed) |
Dharmendra Personal Information
| Field |
Data |
| Date of Birth |
December 8, 1935 |
| Age (as of 2023) |
88 Years |
| Birthplace |
Nasrali, Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
| Zodiac Sign |
Sagittarius |
| Nationality |
Indian |
| Hometown |
Sahnewal, Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
Education Background
| Field |
Information |
| School |
Government Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana |
| College/University |
R.G. (Ramgarhia) College, Phagwara |
| Educational Qualification |
12th standard |
Film Debut
| Category |
Facts |
| Film Debut |
Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) |
| Film Producer |
Betaab (1983) |
| Punjabi Film Debut |
Kankan De Ohle (1970) |
| TV Debut |
India’s Got Talent (2011) |
Personal Life
| Field |
Point |
| Religion |
Sikhism |
| Caste |
Jatt |
| Food Habit |
Non-Vegetarian |
| Political Inclination |
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
Address of Dharmendra
| Field |
Place |
| Current Address |
Plot No. 22, 11th Road, Juhu, Mumbai |
Hobbies of Dharmendra
| Hobbies |
Name |
| Hobbies |
Cycling, Travelling, Watching Films |
Awards and Achievements
| Year |
Award |
| 1991 |
National Film Award for Ghayal (Producer) |
| 1997 |
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2007 |
IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2012 |
Padma Bhushan |
Controversies Surrounding
| Year |
Controversy |
| 1980 |
Converted to Islam to marry Hema Malini, causing media backlash |
| 2004 |
Criticized for calling himself ‘Dictator Perpetuo’ in election campaign |
| Various |
Criticized for low attendance in Parliament |
| 2012 |
Expressed frustration over media questions about his sons at Esha Deol’s wedding |
Political Career
| Field |
Details |
| Political Journey |
Elected to Lok Sabha in 2004 from Bikaner constituency, Rajasthan |
Family
| Relation |
Points |
| Marital Status |
Married |
| First Wife |
Prakash Kaur (1954-Present) |
| Second Wife |
Hema Malini (1980-Present) |
| Children |
Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol (from first marriage); Esha Deol, Ahana Deol (from second marriage) |
Parents
| Relation |
Details |
| Father |
Kewal Kishan Singh Deol (School Teacher) |
| Mother |
Satwant Kaur |
Favorite Things
| Field |
Favorite |
| Director |
Arjun Hingorani |
| Actors |
Guru Dutt, Dilip Kumar |
| Actresses |
Suraiya, Nutan |
| Singers |
Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar |
| Film |
Dillagi (1949) |
Style Quotient
| Field |
Information |
| Car Collection |
Range Rover, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Vintage Car |
| Assets/Properties |
Agricultural land worth over ₹88 Lakh, Non-agricultural land worth over ₹52 Lakh, Buildings in Mumbai worth over ₹17 Crore |
Financial Overview
| Field |
Details |
| Net Worth |
₹23 Crore (as of 2014) |
Dharmendra Net Worth
Dharmendra’s net worth is over Rs 335 Crore.
Dharmendra Summary
Dharmendra’s enduring legacy in Indian cinema is marked by his impressive body of work, versatility as an actor, and significant contributions as a producer and politician. His journey from a village in Punjab to the heights of Bollywood and political success is an inspiring tale of talent and perseverance. As a beloved figure in Indian culture, Dharmendra’s impact continues to resonate, celebrating his achievements both on-screen and off.
