Dharmendra 310 Views

With Punjabis, Bengalis and South-Indian actors dominating the Mumbai film industry, Dharmendra, popularly known as ‘Dharmaind’, alone made up for the Jat representation in the industry. He was handsome (and still is at 84) and is every inch the tough hero, the romantic hero he often portrayed on screen. Bollywood’s Schwarzenegger.

His entry to films was in the form of an award. He won a Filmfare contest in which the prize was to get a chance to act. He came to Mumbai to act in the film, but the movie was never made! However, he stayed on course and from 1962, he acted in a number of hit films including Bandini (also considered by some to be Nutan’s best), Ankhein with Mala Sinha, and later teamed up with Meena Kumari and presented a number of stellar performances in Kaajal, Phool aur Pathar, Majhli Didi.

His films were huge box office hits. While Satyakam is considered his best performance, he will perhaps remain etched in film history and lore for his role in Sholay. Some of his dialogues in Sholay have turned into regular household words, with people expressing frustration by doing “Chakki pissing and pissing” and offering to do “suicide” as an expression of blackmail.

He launched his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, and nephew, Abhay Deol, and turned a film producer. He was a Member of Parliament between 2004-2009 as a BJP candidate from Bikaner constituency. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012 and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.