ACTOR
Dharmendra
180 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (180)
- #001
Dharmendra converted to Islam on 21 August 1979 and changed his name to Dilawar Khan. He married actress Hema Malini, but could not divorce his first wife, Prakash Kaur, because she is the mother of four of his children; he fell in love with Hema Malini only from 1975 onwards, whereas he had married Prakash Kaur in 1954. Under the Hindu Marriage Act, it is illegal for a Hindu to remarry while his first wife is alive. He is still alive. When he joined the Janata Party, two party members in Congress filed a case against him under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code for not declaring his religion in that context.
- #002
Dharmendra and Hema Malini are one of the most popular and commercially successful on-screen pairs in Indian cinema. They were also chosen as the most handsome on-screen couple, since both were regarded as the most handsome actor and the most beautiful actress of their time.
- #003
Dharmendra is the father of Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his second marriage to Hema Malini.
- #004
Dharmendra worked with most of the leading actors of Indian cinema, including Rajendra Kumar, Balraj Sahni, Ashok Kumar, Biswajit, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty and Salman Khan, as well as with actresses such as Nutan, Waheeda Rehman, Saira Banu, Nanda, Asha Parekh, Hema Malini, Raakhee, Rekha and Sridevi.
- #005
Dharmendra is the cousin of Bollywood director Guddu Dhanoa.
- #006
Dharmendra is the only actor who has appeared alongside nearly all members of the Kapoor family. He did not star opposite Kareena Kapoor or Prithviraj Kapoor.
- #007
Dharmendra also had the privilege of acting alongside actresses who had starred with his son Sunny Deol. These include Sridevi in Naaka Bandi, Jaya Prada in Elaan-E-Jung, Dimple Kapadia in Shehzaade, Amrita Singh in Sachai Ki Taaqat, Kimi Katkar in Humlaa and Poonam Dhillon in Sone Pe Suhaaga.
- #008
Dharmendra was signed for Amar Akbar Anthony but left the project due to a problem with Manmohan Desai. Vinod Khanna later signed for the role.
- #009
Between 1991 and 2003, Dharmendra made thirteen B-grade action films with Hemant Birje.
- #010
By the end of 1983, Dharmendra had made only forty-three multi-starrer films and seventy-one solo-hero films. From 1984 onwards he accepted numerous multi-starrer action films, so that by 2013 the number of multi-starrers had reached one hundred and fifty-eight, while his solo-hero films numbered only eighty-five.
- #011
Dharmendra was among the highest-paid Indian film stars of the 1970s.
- #012
Dharmendra is one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema. He is regarded as one of the most handsome men not only in India but worldwide. Because of his looks and his popularity in action films, he earned titles such as "He-Man" and "Garam Dharam".
- #013
Until Rajesh Khanna arrived on the scene at the end of 1969, Dharmendra was a romantic hero. His career shifted from romantic hero to action hero with Raj Khosla's Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
- #014
In 1983 Dharmendra founded his own production company, Vijayta Films, with Betaab, the debut film of his son Sunny Deol. The film became a big hit. He later produced Ghayal in 1990, starring his son Sunny Deol. The film was one of the year's biggest hits and won 7 Filmfare Awards, including Best Film. As producer, Dharmendra received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Ghayal.
- #015
From 2003 onward he stopped playing lead roles in B-grade films. He found success as a supporting actor with Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and made a comeback to A-grade Indian films with successful films such as Life in a Metro (2007), Apne (2007) and Johnny Gaddaar (2007). His film Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) was a box-office record-breaker in 2011.
- #016
His cousin Veerendra's son, actor Randeep Arya, is Deepti Bhatnagar's partner.
- #017
He was first signed for Zabardast in 1979, but the film was shelved. It featured Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra, Rishi Kapoor and Kajal Kiran. Nasir Hussain restarted the project in 1983.
- #018
His son-in-law is Kiran Chaudhri, a world-renowned dentist married to Ajeeta. They settled in California.
- #019
He had an elder brother named Santosh who died at the age of 2.
- #020
His father died on 15 January 1995.
- #021
He has four children with his first wife, Prakash Kaur (born 1 August 1936). Prakash's father was named Mithin Singh Sohi. They are two sons, the Bollywood stars Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and two daughters, Ajeeta and Vijayta Deol Gill.
- #022
Dharmendra is one of the most commercially successful stars of Indian cinema. According to The Economic Times' 2006 poll Big Box Office Bucks, Dharmendra was the 4th highest-grossing star of all time. Amitabh Bachchan topped the list.
- #023
He earned the He-Man title in 1987 at the age of 52 while appearing in eleven lead roles. He had seven successful action films: the multi-starrers Watan Ke Rakhwale, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Loha, Dadagiri, Aag Hi Aag and Mard Ki Zabaan, and the solo-hero film Hukumat.
- #024
Hukumat was among the highest-grossing films by ticket revenue in 1987.
- #025
Until 1993 he was a successful A-grade hero, and after 1994 most of his films were labelled B-grade action films because they had lower production values and were mostly directed by Kanti Shah, Surinder Kapoor and Dilip Gulati, with casts that usually included actors such as Hemant Birje, Mohan Joshi, Raza Murad, Shakti Kapoor, Jay Mehta, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Kiran Kumar.
- #026
His most successful and longest collaboration was with director Arjun Hingorani between 1960 and 1991. Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was Dharmendra's first film as an actor and Arjun's first directorial venture with Dharmendra as the lead hero. Together they worked on four hits: Kab? Kyoon Aur Kahan?, Kahani Kismat Ki, Khel Khilari Ka and Katilon Ke Kaatil, on which Arjun was producer and director. Their last film together, the 1991 release Kaun Kare Kurbanie, failed badly. Arjun produced two films that he did not direct; Dharmendra played the hero in Sultanat and Karishma Kudrat Ka, and both failed.
- #027
His other successful partnership was with director Pramod Chakravarthy, spanning four ventures that each achieved box-office success in a different genre: drama with Naya Zamana, romance with Dream Girl, and action with Azaad and Jugnu.
- #028
As a young man, actor Dharmendra was such a devoted fan of actress Suraiya that he walked for miles to see her film Dillagi more than 40 times.
- #029
Dharmendra is the cousin of the mustachioed actor Veerendra (Varinder), who married director Pammi Varinder, the director of the 1998 film Dulla Bhatti. Varinder was assassinated in 1988 and left behind two sons: actor-producer Randeep Arya, who is married to Deepti Bhatnagar, and actor Ramandep Arya, who is married to actress Chandana Sharma. Varinder also has a daughter named Monica.
- #030
Dharmendra is related to actor Rammi Dhillon (of Salaakhen and Prem Aggan). Rammi is married to Veerta, the daughter of Ajit Singh Deol, and they now live in Temecula, California, in the United States. Rammi is a world-famous realtor at Realty One Group Southwest in California; he grew up in California his whole life and tried his luck in films after marrying in India.
- #031
Dharmendra's Suryakant (1995) was completed but never released. The film starred Madhoo, Sonu Walia, Arjun, Kiran Kumar, Mohan Joshi and Jagdeep, with music by Mahesh Kishor, production by Waris Pictures and direction by Inayat H. Sheikh.
- #032
Dharmendra's Mukka was completed but never released. The film starred Armaan Kohli, Avinash Wadhawan, Ravi Kissen and Tinnu Anand, with music by Nikhil-Vinay, production by Rohitasha Movies and direction by Raj N. Sippy.
- #033
Dharmendra appeared in the shelved film Desh (1996), which starred Aditya Pancholi, Puru Rajkumar, Mamta Kulkarni, Karina Grover, Mohan Joshi, Mukesh Rishi, Paresh Rawal and Mohnish Behl.
- #034
Dharmendra's eldest daughter is Vijayta Kishan Deol Gill, nicknamed Lally, who was born on 21 June 1962 and eventually moved to Delhi. Vijayta is married to Vivek Gill, the son of Avtar Singh Gill; they married in December 1988. Her father-in-law Avtar was born in 1932, and her husband Vivek Gill was born on 2 September 1961. Vijayta Deol Gill was a director of Rajkamal Holdings and Trading Pvt. Ltd., a position she held jointly with her husband Vivek Gill from 1988; Vivek was also a director of Homeland Hospitality Private Ltd. in 1986. Vijayta and Vivek have two children, one of them a daughter named Prerna Gill, who is now a well-known author, and Vijayta Deol Gill also has a young son. Prerna Gill married the world-famous lawyer Pulkit Deora in April 2017; Pulkit works in New Delhi.
- #035
Dharmendra is the uncle of actor-producer Randeep Arya, Veerendra's son.
- #036
Dharmendra is the uncle of actor-model Ramandeep Arya (Dharti, 2011).
- #037
Dharmendra's brother Kanwar Ajit Singh (Ajit Singh Deol) and his cousin, actor Veerendra, married two sisters on the same day: Ajit married Usha and Veerendra married Pammi. Pammi and Usha are sisters.
- #038
Dharmendra is the brother-in-law of actress Madhoo, who is Hema Malini's cousin.
- #039
Dharmendra appeared in the shelved film Gardish, previously titled Bharosa. Its cast included Dharmendra, Rekha, Rati Agnihothri, Zarina Wahab, Shashi Ranjan (replacing Vinod Mehra) and Asrani, with lyrics by Gulzar, music by Rahul Dev Burman, production by Channi Baweja and I. S. Shivdasani, and direction by Meraj. The film was earlier to be made with Rajesh Khanna and Zahira, but was shelved due to problems.
- #040
Dharmendra's secretary, Iqbal Singh, produced Amitabh Bachchan's hit film Kaalia.
- #041
In 1981, Dharmendra went on a world tour concert with Hema Malini and Kishore Kumar, visiting cities in Canada, America and England.
- #042
In 1965, Dharmendra was set to star in Alok Chitra's shelved film Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil, sharing the lead with Shashi Kapoor. It would have been the first film they worked on together.
- #043
Dharmendra's daughters Ajeeta and Vijayta Deol are married and settled in the US state of California. Vijayta Deol Gill's daughter married in Delhi in April 2017.
- #044
Dharmendra is the brother-in-law of actor-producer Jagdarshan (Samra). Jagdarshan is married to Dolly, the sister of Dharmendra's wife Prakash. Jagdarshan's son Vik Samra is married to Mitasha, the daughter of actor Paintal. Jagdarshan's other son, Raj Samra, was to make his acting debut in Kahin Hain Woh Aas Paas (2006), a clever murder mystery; the film was completed but not released due to financial problems. The entire Samra family has settled in Surrey, BC, Canada.
- #045
Dharmendra's granddaughters, the daughters of his daughter Ajeeta, are named Nikita Mina Chaudhri and Prianka Chaudhri. Nikita was born in 1993 and Prianka in 1995. Nikita is a student researcher at Saint Mary's College of California.
- #046
The mother-in-law of Dharmendra's daughter Ajeeta is named Narinder Kour Chaudhri.
- #047
In 1988, Dharmendra had nine releases, but six failed and three were hits. In 1989, all six of his films failed and two were hits. Between 1990 and 2013 he appeared in seventy-four multi-starrer films, of which only seventeen were hits. Between 1990 and 2013 he made only nine solo-hero films, of which only one was a hit. Between 1990 and 2013 he played the lead in ten films, four hits and six failures.
- #048
Dharmendra's only successful solo-hero films between 1989 and 2002 include Elaan-E-Jung (1989) and Kundan (1993), while his successful multi-starrer films as leading hero between 1990 and 2002 include Veeru Dada, Naaka Bandi, Hum Se Na Takrana and Sher Dil (all 1990), Farishtay (1991), Zulm Ki Hukumat, Virodhi, Khule-Aam and Tahalka (all four 1992), Kshatriya (1993) and Maidan-E-Jung (1995). Among his other successful films, he appeared in guest roles in Vardi (1989), Ilaaka (1989), Trinetra (1991) and Munnibai (1999).
- #049
His seventy-fourth solo-hero film, Hukumat, became the highest-grossing film of 1987.
- #050
Although by 1975 he had established himself as a versatile actor capable of roles in every kind of cinema, his continuous appearances in action films between 1976 and 1997, combined with many failures between 1988 and 2003, transformed his image from a versatile star into a B-grade action hero.
- #051
Dharmendra was to star in Indian Arts' shelved War (1999), produced by Saroj Choudhry and directed by TLV Prasad, with Mithun Chakraborthy, Aditya Pancholi, Mallika, Puneet Issar and Jack Gaud sharing the lead roles.
- #052
Dharmendra was to star in D. N. Films' shelved Desh (1996), which featured Puru Raaj Kumar, Mamta Kulkarni, Karina (Eva) Grover, Raj Babbar, Mohan Joshi, Mukesh Rishi, Mohnish Behl, Ishrat Ali, Avtar Gill, Paresh Rawal, Sudha Chandran, Mushtaq Khan and Harish Patel, with music by Aadesh Srivastava. It was produced by Damodaran S. Mudaliar, Rajbans Singh and Rajan Mudliar and directed by Sanjay Khanna.
- #053
Dharmendra was to star in P. Walvekar Pictures' shelved 36 Ka Bada Ankkadha (1990), which was to feature Hemant Birje, Sonu Walia, Satish Kaul, Upasana Khosla, Alok Nath, Sarla Yeolekar, Jack Gaud, Subbiraj and Sudhir Pandey in lead roles. The music was by Laxmikant Pyarelal, with Pradip Walvekar producing and Mounna Dhari directing.
- #054
Dharmendra was to star in Ideal Pictures' shelved Mr. Junglee (1990), which was to feature Jaya Pradha, Shakti Kapoor, Pradeep Kumar, Aruna Irani, Rakesh Bedi, Amrit Pal, Praveen Kumar and Bramachari in lead roles. The music was by Anand Milind, with Rajendra Joshi producing and Chaman Niilay directing.
- #055
Dharmendra acted in BMB Productions' shelved Jane Tamanna (1995). The cast included Dharmendra, Rohit Kumar, Siddharth Dhawan, Sumit Batra, Anjali Jathar, Mushtaq Khan, Javed Khan, Navneet Nishan and Pramod Moutho, with music by Aadesh Srivastav, M. C. Bokadia producing and Kunwar Bhupat Singh directing. The film's tragedy was that its negatives burned in a fire in the editing room, which unfortunately caused the film to be lost. Some songs are still available on YouTube. A year later producer KC Bokadia released the Jane Tamanna songs with a cover featuring Saif Ali Khan and Karishma Kapoor.
- #056
Dharmendra acted in Vijay Productions' never-completed Hum Hain Aag (Lo Hum Aa Gaye) (1993), which was to feature Sunil Shetty, Jay Mehta, Shilpa Shirodkar, Somy Ali, Mukesh Khanna and Rami Reddy in lead roles, with music by Bappi Lahiri and direction by Deepak Bahry. Eight reels were completed.
- #057
Dharmendra acted in Family Film Club's never-completed Bhagini (1981), which was to feature Hema Malini, Reena Roy and Amjad Khan in lead roles, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and direction by Ram Mukherjee. Fifteen reels were completed.
- #058
Dharmendra acted in Narendra Bedi's never-completed Kanoon (1982), which was to feature Jeetendra and Hema Malini in lead roles, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and direction by Narendra Bedi. Six reels were completed.
- #059
Dharmendra acted in Swaroop Pictures' shelved Hamara Faisla, also known as Hum Angaare Hain (1997). The leads include Dharmendra, Ravi Kissen, Shakti Kapoor, Sanjay Shah, Jaya Mathur, Kishore Bhanushali and Birbal, along with Yunes Parves, Alok Nath, Johnny Lever, Mohan Joshi and Razak Khan, with music by Vipin Kishore and direction by Jitendra Johri.
- #060
Dharmendra was to star in Filmistand Studios' shelved Aaj Ka Paigham (1997), which was to feature Sharad Kapoor, Manek Bedi, Simran, Ayesh Jhulka, Mohan Joshi, Mukesh Rishi, Avtar Gill, Mushtaq Khan, Bindu and Ishrat Ali in lead roles, with music by Aadesh Srivastav, production by Vijender Saroha and direction by Sisir K. Mishra.
- #061
Dharmendra was to act in Waris Pictures' shelved Tanaav (1999), which was to feature Naseeruddin Shah, Moushami Chatterjee, Deepti Bhatnagar, Guddu Rizvi, Divya Jaiswal, Asif Shaikh, Nishigandha Wad, Mohan Joshi and Kiran Kumar in lead roles, with music by Jatin Lalit, production by Waris Ali Rizvi and direction by Vijay Reddy.
- #062
Dharmendra acted in Shristi Creations' shelved Love Station (1991/1998), replacing Vinod Khanna, alongside Mithun Chakraborthy (replacing Govinda), Pratibha Sinha, Prem Chopra, Pramod Moutho, Deepak Shirke, Vishwajeet Pradhan, Jack Gaud and Ishrat Ali, with music by Bappi Lahiri (changed to Ajit Varman). K. C. Sharma produced and Sanjay Sharma directed.
- #063
Dharmendra was to star in Maa Vaishno Devi Films' shelved Jigarwala (2001), which was to feature Mohan Joshi, Raza Murad, Razzak Khan, Deepak Shirke, Shiva, Hyder Qazmi, Anil Nagrath and Vinod Tripathi in lead roles, with music by Sawaan Kumar Saawan, production by Neha Rajput and direction by Jitendra Chawda.
- #064
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Manav Enterprises' shelved Aandhi Aur Toofan (2001), which he was also directing. The film was to star Nirmal Pandey, Hemant Birje, Sanjeevani Gupta, Preeti Bhutani, Upasana Singh, Pinky Chinoy, Pushpa Verma, Pramos Moutho and Sadashiv Amrapurkar, with music by Amod Bhatt and production by Peter Almeida and Ashok Saraswat.
- #065
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Akruti Films (India) P. Ltd.'s shelved Mai Jai Santoshi Maa (2000), which was to star Biswajeet, Dara Singh, Arun Govil, Asrani, Satyen Kappu, Alok Nath, Shakti Kapoor and Arun Bakshi. Music was by Santosh Srivastava, production by Ajay Kumar Tripathi and direction by Mohan Singh Rathore.
- #066
Dharmendra was to appear in Shama Firdouse Productions' shelved Battalian (1997), which was to star Tabu, Seema Siddhu, Girish Dube, Anupam Kher, Mukesh Khanna, Mohan Joshi, Kader Khan and Shahnawaz Khan, with music by Syed Ahmed and direction by Nisar A. Khan.
- #067
Dharmendra appeared in the shelved I. A. D. Productions film Chattan (1996). Cast: Dharmendra, Reena Roy, Atul Agnihothri, Varsha Usgaonkar, Sabaa, Karina Grover, Mukesh Khanna, Raza Murad, Kader Khan; music: Milind Sagar; director: Iqbal Durrani; 13 reels.
- #068
Dharmendra appeared in City Lights Film International's Mulaazim (previously titled Zindabad) (1992/1995). The film stars Dharmendra (replacing Kabir Bedi), Jeetendra, Kamal Sadanah (replacing Ravi Behl), Pratibha Sinha (replacing Raveena Tandon), Shakti Kapoor, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Dalip Tahil, Kader Khan and Asif Sheikh, with music by Anand Milind and direction by Nasir Ansari. Four reels were completed.
- #069
Dharmendra appeared in Shahbaaz Films' never-completed Kismat Ki Rekha (1995), which starred Vinod Khanna, Rekha, Krish Malik, Mehak, Arjun, Kunika, Kader Khan and Puneet Issar, with music by Anu Malik and direction by Latif Khan. Nine reels were completed.
- #070
Dharmendra appeared in Veshaaka Films' never-completed Rafoo Chakkar (1996), which starred Abhishek Kapoor, Sooneha, Raj Babbar, Mohan Joshi and Arjun, with music by Bappi Lahiri and direction by Farough Siddiqui. Fourteen reels were completed.
- #071
Dharmendra appeared in P. P. International's never-completed Uddesh (1996), which starred Goldie Marwah, Ritu Shivpuri, Kiran Kumar, Aruna Irani, Ranjeet, Arjun and Mohan Joshi, with music by Dilip Sen and Sameer Sen and direction by S. L. Raj. Three reels were completed.
- #072
Dharmendra provided the Punjabi commentary on Arun Bakshi's first Punjabi album, Bol Mitti De Bawya (1999). The lyrics were written by Dharmendra's brother Ajit Singh Deol.
- #073
Dharmendra had a younger sister named Surinder who died of typhoid in childhood. Surinder was older than his brother Ajit Singh Deol.
- #074
Dharmendra is a distant relative of action director Mohan Singh Baggad.
- #075
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Arshee Films' shelved Mera Imaan (1988), which was to star Govinda, Shabana Azmi (replacing Smita Patil), Mandakini, Amrish Puri and Gulshan Grover, with production by T. P. Aggarwal and direction by Ashok Tyagi.
- #076
Dharmendra's daughter Ahana Deol appeared alongside Prateik Babbar in the shelved 2. Time Lucky (2012), produced and directed by Shoojit Sarkar.
- #077
Dharmendra appeared in the shelved Dagdar Babu (1974). The film stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bhadhuri, Utpal Dutt and Urmila Bhatt, and was directed by Nabhendu Ghosh. It was adapted from Phanishwar Nath Renu's Hindi novel Maila Aanchal. The director's son later said: "This film was made in the 70s. Producer SH Munshi, who had earlier made Bimal Roy's Baap Beti, had a dispute with the Bengali financier-distributor Maniya Daga. The film was delayed and then the producer died. The producer's son went back to Bihar and there was no one to look after the negatives. Meanwhile there was a flood in Mumbai and the negatives were drowned. We, as members of the manager's unit at the laboratories, did not take charge of the negatives and I don't even know what happened to that family."
- #078
Dharmendra's cousin Narendra tried to become an actor in the 1970s. Narendra appeared with Reena Roy in Apne Dushman, in the Punjabi film Do Sher and in several other films. Narendra is the elder brother of director Guddu Dhanoa. A scandal broke in 2006 when Stardust Magazine published a story about Narendra's son Vishal Dhanoa. Vishal had previously worked as an assistant on Jaal - The Trap and acted in a television series. Vishal was arrested for exposing himself at the Mumbai University complex in Kalina. A further report was made that he attempted to assault a woman living in the same area. In 2013 Vishal was arrested for stabbing his mother Meena because she would not give him money. The media stated that he was a habitual drug user and a heavy alcoholic. The media noticed the story when Dharmendra and Sunny Deol rushed Meena to hospital immediately.
- #079
Dharmendra is distantly related to actor-producer Vijay Dhanoya (Dhanoa). He is a cousin of Guddu Dhanoa and actor Narendra.
- #080
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Ramkrishna Productions' shelved Raktapaat (1995), which was to star Somy Ali, Rajat Kumar (replacing Divya Kumar), Om Puri, Deepak Zaveri, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Asrani, Bharat Bhushan, Tiku Talsania, Shiva, Harish Patel and Shashi Puri, with music by Vijay Singh, production by Deepak Joshi and direction by Vijaideep.
- #081
Dharmendra was to appear in Saroj Films' shelved Mritujaal (1997), which was to star Pooja Dudwal and Ali Khan, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and writing and direction by Ved Prakash Dev.
- #082
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Raj Bafna's shelved Aag Aur Toofan (1987), directed by Mehul Kumar and starring Shatrughan Sinha, Madhavi and Dimple Kapadia.
- #083
Dharmendra was a roommate of Arun Sharma, the father of actress Ektaa. This was during Dharmendra's struggling period in the early 1960s.
- #084
One of Dharmendra's elder sisters died in 1988. Another of his elder sisters died in 2011.
- #085
Dharmendra was to star in Maya International's shelved Ankush (1982), alongside Amol Palekar, Shabana Azmi and Farida Jalal, with music by R. D. Burman and direction by Mukul Dutt.
- #086
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Chitrashala's shelved Bharosa, alongside Rekha, Rati Agnihotri, Zarina Wahab and Asrani, with music by R. D. Burman and direction by Meraj.
- #087
Dharmendra was part of Roop Enterprises' unfinished Devdas, which starred Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore and Dr. Shreeram Lagoo, with music by R. D. Burman and direction by Gulzar. The film was announced in 1976 with plans for Prakash Mehra to direct Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore and Hema Malini in the lead roles. Mehra, however, was not satisfied with the original concept and wanted to make a modern version of the film. The original producer instead started the film with Dharmendra. In the meantime, Mehra began Muqaddar Ka Sikander with Rakhee and Rekha.
- #088
In 1980, Dharmendra was to direct a film titled "Cowboy" under the Vijayta Films banner. The film was never made.
- #089
In the 1970s, actress Tamanna claimed that Dharmendra brought her into films and launched her. Her mother claimed she was like Dharmendra's sister.
- #090
Dharmendra starred alongside Rajshree in the shelved Nain Mile Chain Kahan, which also featured Mehmood and Helen, was produced by B. P. Joshi, directed by Rajan Bose and had music by Shankar Jaikishen. The film was shelved because Rajshree disappeared with Greg Chapman.
- #091
Dharmendra's daughter Vijayta Deol Gill had a daughter in 1990.
- #092
Dharmendra's daughter Vijayta Deol Gill is older than Ajeeta.
- #093
Dharmendra is the cousin of director Jagdev Bhambri.
- #094
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Ranjan Sippy's shelved Sipahi (1989), produced by Ranjan Sippy and directed by Raj Sippy, with Jeetendra and Shatrughan Sinha sharing the lead roles. The film was to use the script of Patthar Ke Log, Amitabh's earlier shelved film with Sippy.
- #095
Dharmendra's niece Veerta married actor Bhupendra (Rammi Dhillon) in 1991. She is Abhay Deol's sister.
- #096
Dharmendra starred in Karishma International's shelved film "Killer" (1994). The lead roles were played by Dharmendra, Ayub Khan and Karina Grover, with music by Nikhil Vinay, producer Bubby Kent and director Deepak Bahry.
- #097
Sunny Deol was born on 19 October 1957, Vijayta Deol Gill (Lally) on 21 June 1962, Ajeeta Deol Chaudhri (Dolly/Nonu) on 9 November 1966, and Bobby Deol on 27 January 1969.
- #098
Dharmendra's granddaughter Prianka graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree and specialised in Business Marketing Management. She worked at the Saint Mary's College WRC Gender, Justice and Leadership Student programme. Prianka worked and trained as a WRC Gender Justice and Leadership Intern.
- #099
Dharmendra's cousin, actor Narendra (Apne Dushman), has a son named Vishal Dhanoa and a daughter named Vanita Dhanoa Dutta. Vanita has a son.
- #100
Dharmendra's sister (who died in 1988) has a son named Goldie Singh (Chaudhri). He produced the music video "Say Naiyo" with Chandal Roy Sanyal. Goldie lived in the United Kingdom and worked as an actor (films unspecified) and as an extra in British films. He also worked as a Production Controller on British films (films unspecified). He later returned to India and made several television commercials. In 1997, Goldie signed for Padam Kumar's film "Indian", starring Sunny Deol and Aishwarya Rai. He was to play a terrorist. When the film was shelved, Goldie gave up his plans to become an actor in India. When Indian was released in 2000, Goldie Singh was not part of the star cast. Goldie is married to Heena and has a daughter named Namaha. Goldie's elder sister Swarn (Swan) Chaudhri has a YouTube channel called "Beauty and Health Box", where she shares health and beauty tips. He also gave film reviews (Dhoom 3, Rowdy Rathore) on the "officialfilmsofindia" YouTube channel.
- #101
Kamal Amrohi wanted to start Aakhri Mughal in 1977. He signed Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra and Punjabi actress Daljit Kaur. At one point Kamal wanted Amitabh Bachchan for Dharmendra's role. The film never went beyond the announcement. The film, to be directed by Kamal Amrohi, with music by Sajjad and lyrics by Jan Nisaar Akhtar, was planned to be produced under the Bakshi Productions banner. K. Asif had first planned the film in the 1960s with Dilip Kumar. J. P. Dutta wanted to make the film in 1999 with Dilip Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu.
- #102
Dharmendra was to play the lead in the shelved Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegee (1963), starring Meena Kumari, with music by Shankar Jaikishen, produced by Dr V. N. Sinha and directed by Kishore Sahu.
- #103
Dharmendra was to star in RSD, a shelved International production titled Sher (1987). The Indian-Thai film was to be written by Kader Khan, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, produced by Swapna's secretary Shakti and directed by Anil Sharma, and was to star Shashi Kapoor, Kimi Katkar, Raj Babbar, Swapna, Amjad Khan and Kader Khan.
- #104
Dharmendra was offered Waqt but had to turn it down because the part was that of the eldest brother; he felt that accepting it would see him cast only in elder-brother roles. The role then went to Raaj Kumar.
- #105
Dharmendra's cousin sister married producer Ranjit Virk, who later produced the film Krodhi.
- #106
Dharmendra was to star in the shelved Taaron Ke Chhaon Mein (1961), in which Sayeeda Khan was to play the lead.
- #107
Dharmendra was to star in K. P. K. and in the shelved Mere Desh Ke Dharti (1976), which was to star Sanjay Khan, Hema Malini and Yogita Bali, be written by Suraj Sanim, have music by Kalyanji Anandji, and be produced and directed by Kewal Kashyap. It was based on the freedom fighter Mangal Pandey.
- #108
Dharmendra appeared in the shelved Time Bomb, directed by Pramod Chakraborthy and also starring Hema Malini.
- #109
Dharmendra was to star in Century Films' shelved Mahaguru (C. I. D) (1977), which was to star Zeenat Aman, Shatrughan Sinha, Asha Sachdev, Utpal Dutt and Prem Nath, have music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and be directed by Shakti Samanta.
- #110
Dharmendra was to star in Sagar Enterprises' shelved Mirza Sahiban (1972), produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar and starring Hema Malini. The project was revived by Mohan Segal in 1976 but was later cancelled.
- #111
Dharmendra was to star in Souvenir Enterprises' shelved Lajawab (Saatli Bomba) (1978), replacing Vinod Khanna. The film was to star Hema Malini, Shakti Kapoor, Prem Nath, Ranjeet, Asha Sachdev, Pradeep Kumar, Nalini Jayant, Madan Puri, Kader Khan, Deven Verma and Amjad Khan, be produced by Iqbal Nazir, have music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and be directed by Pramod Chakraborthy.
- #112
In 1975 Dharmendra was to star in an untitled shelved Gulati Productions film that was to star Sharmila Tagore, Bindu, Pran, Ajit and Ranjeet, have music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and be directed by Dulal Guha.
- #113
Dharmendra was to star in Seven Arts Pictures' shelved Paapi Devta (1977), which was to star Zeenat Aman, Hema Malini (as a guest) and Mithun Chakraborthy, have music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, be produced by Madan Mohla and be directed by Dulal Guha.
- #114
Dharmendra was to star in Koncord International's shelved Teen Farishte, produced by Tarun Guru Dutt, directed by Pramod Chakravorthy and starring Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna (replacing Rishi Kapoor). The mahurat was on 6 November 1976. The film was later made in 1984 as Jaagir.
- #115
Dharmendra was to star in the shelved Justice Dharmveer (1985), produced by K. L. Boase, directed by K. Bapiah and starring Jaya Pradha.
- #116
The title music of Sujata was copied by R D Burman in the song "Aap ka kamaran me koi rahta hai…" in Yaadon Ki Barat.
- #117
Dharmendra was to star in Kala Bharati's shelved Sona Chandi (1973), which was to star Ashok Kumar, Dharmendra, Mumtaz, Vinod Khanna, Padma Khanna and Ajit, be produced by Baldev Pushkarna, written by Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, have music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and be directed by Khalid Akhtar.
- #118
Dharmendra was the first choice for the lead in Kaarnama, then titled "Kiske Liye". However, the film was repeatedly postponed because of Rekha. Some shooting was done for the film. In the end Ranjeet shelved the film out of frustration. He held Rekha responsible for all the delays and praised Dharmendra for helping him so much. When he revived the film, it had a new star cast.
- #119
Dharmendra was to star in the shelved Ek Kadam Aage (1979), which was to star Hema Malini, Sarika and Amjad Khan. The project may be the same as Shashi Kapoor's film announced in 1976 and then shelved.
- #120
Dharmendra was to star in Sneh Shakti Pictures' shelved Jung (1982), which was to star Salma Agha and Sanjay Dutt, have a story by Sachin Bhowmick, music by Rahul Dev Burman, be produced by Vikas Mohan and be directed by Bharat Rungachary.
- #121
Dharmendra was signed for a small role as an army man in the film Picnic. At the time Dharmendra was suffering from chronic dysentery. Producer P. Kailash saw Dharmendra and said that Dharam looked ill and did not resemble an army man. He was later removed from the film.
- #122
During the shooting of Satyakam, Hrishikesh Mukherjee one day told Dharmendra the story of Anand. Dharmendra was completely happy with the film and was excited. He was told the role would be his. However, when Dharmendra learned that Rajesh Khanna had already begun shooting for the film, he got the shock of his life.
- #123
He acted alongside Sharmila Tagore in Bimal Roy Productions' Sahara (1973), produced by Bimal Roy and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
- #124
He is the cousin of producer Baldev Pushkarna.
- #125
He was to play the lead in the shelved "Mohabbat Ke Ghadi Ayee" (1966), directed by Ramesh Sharma and co-starring Mehmood.
- #126
In 1984 he shelved an untitled film at Angel Films in which he was to act alongside Hema Malini. It was produced by R. J. Chakravarti (Hema's brother).
- #127
His date of birth is 8 December 1932. This is the date listed on mycorporateinfo.com. It differs from the 1935 listed on other sites.
- #128
He was to play the lead in a shelved 1976 film by Khosla Enterprises, produced by Lekhraj Khosla and directed by Raj Khosla.
- #129
He acted alongside Hema Malini in Rupam Pictures' untitled 1976 film, produced by N. C. Sippy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
- #130
He was planned to have a special appearance in Punchhe Arts International's shelved Sanjh Ke Baad Savera (1975), which was to feature Sameer Khan, Sulakshna Pandit, Subhash Ghai, Danny Denzongpa and Baldev Khosa, with music by Sonik - Omi and production and direction by Sher Jung Singh.
- #131
He was to appear in Zorawar Pictures' shelved Prens Pradeep (1975), with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, production by Zorawar Singh and direction by R. K. Nayyar.
- #132
He was to act in Sippy Films' shelved Üç Silahşörler (1974/1975), which was to star Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, with a screenplay written by Salim and Javed, cinematography by Dwarka Divecha, production by G. P. Sippy and direction by Ramesh Sippy.
- #133
In 1985 producer A. G. Nadiadwala signed Dharmendra, Mithun Chakorthy and Rajnikanth for a film to be directed by Esmayell Shroff. After the announcement it was shelved.
- #134
He was to play the lead in Alaknanda Arts' Jhootha Aashiq Sachcha Pyar (1996), which was to star Jaya Pradha, Ayub Khan, Roshni Jafrey, Tinnu Anand and Rakesh Bedi, with music by Ravindra Jain and direction by Rajkumar Pardesi.
- #135
He acted in the shelved Century Films "C I D" (1979). The cast included Shammi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Nath and Sonia Sahani, with music by Laxmikant - Pyarelal, written by K. K. Shukla and directed by Shakti Samanta.
- #136
Dharmendra was to star in Esskay Pictures' shelved Darpok (1987), which was to be produced and directed by Sandip Mukherjee (son of Hrishikesh Mukherjee) and was to co-star Sanjay Dutt (replacing Mithun Chakraborthy), Mandakini, Swapna, Kanwaljeet, Ranjeet, Paresh Rawal, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Sangeeta Naik.
- #137
Dharmendra was to star in Krishraj Productions' shelved Dillagi. Yeh Dillagi (2005), with music by Suresh Raheja, produced by Ajay S. Bhardwaj and directed by P. Akash, and co-starring Rati Agnihotri, Kapil Dev, Asrani, Amitabh Dayal and Asha Varijoshi.
- #138
Dharmendra was to star in the shelved Bin Maange Moti (1968), produced by R. C. Kumar and directed by Dulal Guha, with Meena Kumari in the lead role.
- #139
Dharmendra was signed for Jyoti (1969) opposite Meena Kumari. Both chose to leave the project because their relationship had soured.
- #140
Dharmendra was to star in Blue Moon Movies' shelved Justice Dharamveer (1988/1991), written by Kader Khan, with music by Bappi Lahiri, produced by K. L. Boase and directed by K. Bapiah, and co-starring Anil Kapoor, Jaya Pradha, Sridevi, Tanuja, Asif Sheikh, Asrani, Kader Khan, Prem Chopra and Shakti Kapoor.
- #141
In 1997 Dharmendra signed for an untitled film produced by Kunwar Jagdish Singh for Saroj Film and directed by Ved Prakash Dev. The film was shelved.
- #142
Dharmendra was to star in Anas Films' shelved Sar E Aam (1993), with a screenplay by Kader Khan and Talat Jani, music by Nadeem Shravan and direction by Talat Jani, and co-starring Shatrughan Sinha, Arbaaz Khan, Tabu, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal, Mukesh Khanna and Mohan Joshi.
- #143
In the 1970s Sanjay Khan announced a huge film titled "Gunga Din", based on episodes of the Mahabharat. It was a budget-conscious venture that was to star Dharmendra, Sanjay Khan and Hema Malini. He eventually shelved the project.
- #144
Dharmendra was to star in Pratigya Pictures' shelved Yaar Badshah (1978), with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and written, produced and directed by Kunwar Ajit (Ajit Singh Deol), and co-starring Sunil Dutt, Rekha and Amjad Khan.
- #145
Dharmendra was to play Chandragupta in Madhumalika's shelved Chanakya Aur Chandragupta (1975/1979), in which Dilip Kumar was to play Chanakya and Kabir Bedi was to play Seleucus, alongside Hema Malini and Parveen Babi. NRI model Avinash Longani had auditioned for the film and claimed to be a costume designer for Hollywood actors. The film's lyrics were to be by Jan Nisaar Akhtar, music by Naushad, production by Kishore Sharma (Meena Kumari's brother-in-law; married to Mehmood's former wife) and direction by B. R. Chopra.
- #146
In 1978, Dharmendra was set to star in an untitled Dalchi Films production written and produced by Rajinder Singh Bedi and directed by Narinder Singh Bedi.
- #147
Dharmendra signed on to Madhosh alongside Hema Malini and Vinod Khanna. They were later replaced by Mahendra Sandhu, Reena Roy and Rakesh Roshan.
- #148
Dharmendra was to star in the shelved Lal Haveli (2000), produced by Ajitabh and directed by Prakash Chopra, with Kiran Kumar, Arun Mathur, Mohan Joshi, Vicky Sadow and Raj Khanna in the lead roles.
- #149
Dharmendra was cast in Sadu Chitra's shelved Jigar (Mera Khoon) (1983/1985), which was to star Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Govinda (replacing Kamal Haasan), Vijayata Pandit, Anita Raj and Danny Denzongpa, with music by Kalyanji Anandji, production by Jayant Malkhan and direction by I. V. Sasi.
- #150
Dharmendra was planned for a guest appearance in Suman Films International's shelved Tan Se Man Door (1977), which was to star Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha and Sulochana, with music by Salil Chaudhary and direction by Vasant Kumar Goni.
- #151
Dharmendra was to star in Abba Movies' shelved Ek Kadam Aage (1983), produced by A. Wahab Khan and A. Sayeed Khan, directed by Dorai, and starring Sunny Deol, Anita Raj and Asrani.
- #152
Dharmendra's sister is Darshan. She is married to producer Bikram Singh Dehal. They have four daughters: Namarat Dehal (producer of Tu Chor Main Sipahi), Tina Dehal Singh (married to Sunil Singh; she is a well-known photographer with many photographs online), Mamta Dehal (who worked in production on Elaan) and Kavita Dehal Grewal.
- #153
Dharmendra's mother-in-law, Pooja (Lynda) Deol, is a cousin of the well-known children's author Narinder Dhami and of Bambi Dhami. Bambi is a full-time professional dancer. Bambi has had a long and successful career in show business; she has produced and directed shows around the world and appeared on Channel 5's 'Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun'.
- #154
Dharmendra was to star in Bobby Arts International's shelved Lohar (1986), which was to star Raj Babbar, Sumeet Saigal, Aman Virk, Amjad Khan and Prem Chopra, with a story by Mahesh Shandilya, music by Rahul Dev Burman, production by Iqbal Singh and direction by Shibu Mitra.
- #155
Dharmendra was to star in Parijat Pictures' shelved Dil Daulat Duniya (1967), produced and directed by Ramesh Saigal, with Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz and Mehmood in the lead roles.
- #156
Dharmendra appeared in Filmindus Productions' shelved film Kahin Aur Mila Kar Mujh Se (1963).
- #157
Dharmendra was to star in G R Films' shelved Achanak (1995). The film was to feature Sunil Shetty, Pratibha Sinha, Mohnish Behl, Tinnu Anand and Sadashiv Amrapurkar, with music by Anand-Milind and direction by Narendra Grewal.
- #158
Dharmendra was to star in Navchitra Productions' shelved Janam Vidhaata (1994), which was to star Raaj Kumar, Puru Raaj Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, Aditya Pancholi, Prem Chopra and Amrish Puri, with music by Anand Milind, production by Naraindas Mukhija and direction by S. V. Rajendra Singh.
- #159
Dharmendra was to appear in Pawan Arts' shelved Gair Ilaaka (1994), which was to star Mithun Chakraborthy and Harish, with music by Anand Milind, production by Pawan Arora and direction by Raj N. Sippy.
- #160
In 1994, Dharmendra was to star in a shelved film by the Adhikari Brothers, with Sunil Shetty, Mamik, Mamta Kulkarni and Mohan Joshi in the lead roles, music by Anu Malik, production by Markand Adhikari and direction by Gautam Adhikari.
- #161
Dharmendra was to star in Creative Arts' shelved Amar Vijay (1994), which was to star Raj Babbar, Ayub Khan, Varsha Usgaonkar and Tinnu Anand, with music by Anu Malik, production by Acha Anand (Dev Anand's nephew) and direction by Ketan Anand.
- #162
Dharmendra was set to play the lead in 3 V Productions' (Bangalore) shelved film Lakhpati Karodpati (1993), which also starred Kamal Sadanah, Manisha Koirala, Atul Agnihotri, Sonali Bendre, Anupam Kher, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Amrish Puri, Laxmikant Berde and Kader Khan, with music by Anand Milind and direction by SV Rajendra Singh.
- #163
Dharmendra was to play the lead in Johnny Bakshi Films' shelved Khanabadosh (1987), which would have co-starred Sanjay Dutt, Richa Sharma, Brando Bakshi, Gulshan Grover and Anupam Kher, with a screenplay by Humayun Mirza, music by Kamal Maqdoom, production by Johnny Bakshi and direction by Raj Khosla.
- #164
Dharmendra was set to play the lead in Seven Art Pictures' shelved Janam Daata (1986), which would have co-starred Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Rati Agnihotri and Kader Khan, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, a story by Sachin Bhowmick, production by Madan Mohla and direction by Shakti Samanta.
- #165
In 1977, Dharmendra was set to play the lead in an untitled shelved R. S. Movies film that would have co-starred Ashok Kumar, Rekha, Sulakshna Pandit and Bindu, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, production by M. A. Siddique and S. M. Sagar, and direction by Shakti Samanta.
- #166
For his contributions to the cinematic arts, the Government of India awarded Dharmendra the Padma Bhushan, its third-highest civilian honour, in 2012, and the Padma Vibhushan, its second-highest civilian honour, posthumously in 2026.
- #167
In an interview, Dharmendra stated that his greatest career achievement was that, despite being better known as an action hero, he never hesitated to make women-centric films and successfully experimented with every genre from romance to drama to situational comedy.
- #168
Apart from the sibling trio of Karishma, Kareena and Ranbir and their great-grandfather Prithviraj, Dharmendra worked with every generation of the Kapoor family.
- #169
On the eve of Indian cinema's centenary celebrations in 2013, Dharmendra was named the 15th-greatest Bollywood star of all time by the British magazine Eastern Eye.
- #170
Between 1999 and 2004, as a Member of Parliament for the Bikaner constituency, Dharmendra did not attend a single session, preferring to work on his farm and shoot films instead.
- #171
At the time of his death, Dharmendra's net worth was estimated at between 80 and 100 million US dollars.
- #172
Dharmendra appeared eighteen times on India's 'Top Actors' box-office list between 1968 and 1984 and up to 1987. From 1972 to 1975 he topped the list four consecutive times.
- #173
In a 2013 Rediff poll, Dharmendra was voted the 10th-greatest Bollywood actor of all time.
- #174
Dharmendra's grandson Sahil married Pooja in 2025.
- #175
Dharmendra's former secretary was Deenanath Shastry.
- #176
On the eve of his death on 24 November 2025, Dharmendra was the last living Indian actor who had become a true cinema superstar in the 1960s (his friend Jeetendra also became a star in the same decade but reached his peak in the 1980s).
- #177
Dharmendra's niece is the artist Ritu Atwal, the daughter of Ajit Singh Deol.
- #178
The Punjabi actor Sandeep Sohi stated that he is Dharmendra's nephew.
- #179
The film Shamshaan (2000) was released under the title Raat Ke Andhere Mein. Dharmendra agreed to a guest appearance but backed out after realising it was a C-grade film; Kiran Kumar replaced him.
- #180
Deep Dhillon, an actor, has a maternal cousin whose son, Kiran, is married to Dharmendra's daughter Ajeeta.
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