Dharmendra: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}

{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}

| caption            = Dharmendra in April 2012

| term_start          = 13 May 2005

| birth_place        = [[Sahnewal]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]]

, [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(present-day [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]])

| occupation          = {{hlist|Actor|film producer|politician|singer|film presenter|poet}}

| alma_mater          = Ramgarhia College, [[Phagwara]]

| spouse              = {{ublist|{{marriage|Parkash Kaur|1954}}|{{marriage|[[Hema Malini]]|1980}}}}

| children            = 6; (including [[Sunny Deol]], [[Bobby Deol]] and [[Esha Deol]])

| party = [[Bharatiya Janta Party]]

| image              = Dharmendra 2012.jpg

'''Dharam Deol''' (born 8 December 1935), known [[Mononymous person|mononymously]] as '''Dharmendra''', is an Indian actor, producer and politician who is known for his work in [[Hindi]] films. Known as the "[[He-Man]]" of [[Bollywood]], Dharmendra has worked in over 300 films in a career spanning five decades.<ref>{{Cite news|title=10 unknown and interesting facts about Bollywood's He-Man, Dharmendra|url=https://www.bombaytimes.com/photostory/61978078.cms|access-date=25 June 2020|work=The Times of India|date=8 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=7 December 2015|title=Dharmendra turns 80! 10 stories you probably never knew about the 'He-Man'|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/dharmendra-birthday-10-unknown-facts-25606.html|access-date=25 June 2020|work=India TV News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Happy Birthday Dharmendra – Bollywood's first 'He-man'|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/happy-birthday-dharmendra-bollywoods-first-he-man|access-date=25 June 2020|work=Free Press Journal|language=en|date=8 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dharmendra - An actor & a gentleman|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/dharmendra-an-actor-a-gentleman-28495.html|access-date=25 June 2020|website=filmfare.com|language=en}}</ref> In 1997, he received the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]] for his contribution to [[Hindi cinema]].

He was a member of the [[15th Lok Sabha]] of [[India]], representing [[Bikaner]] constituency in [[Rajasthan]] from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). In 2012, he was awarded India's third-highest civilian honour [[Padma Bhushan]] by the [[Government of India]].<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79881|title=Padma Awards|publisher=pib|date=27 January 2013|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524145714/http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79881|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Dharmendra was born Dharam Singh Deol<ref name="FRICTION"/> in [[Sahnewal]], a village in [[Ludhiana district]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]] on 8 December 1935 to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur in a [[Sikh]] [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] [[Jat people|Jat]] family.<ref name=FRICTION>{{cite web|title=Watch in Conversation with The Deols|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010z34s|work=13 November 2012|publisher=BBC Asian Network|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119233753/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010z34s|archive-date=19 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=thedeols|url=http://vijaytafilms.com/thedeols.html|access-date=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081153/http://www.vijaytafilms.com/thedeols.html|archive-date=6 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sumbly|first=Vimal|title=Dharmendra walks down memory lane|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020104/ldh1.htm|date=4 January 2002|work=Ludhiana Tribune|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214542/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020104/ldh1.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kashyap |first1=Archita |title=I am a farmer's son: Dharmendra |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-am-a-farmers-son-dharmendra/article7361469.ece |access-date=3 November 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=27 June 2015 |language=en-IN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103093244/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-am-a-farmers-son-dharmendra/article7361469.ece |archive-date=3 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Happy Birthday Dharmendra: As Bollywood's muscleman turns 84, his most adorable pics with family. See them here |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/happy-birthday-dharmendra-as-bollywood-s-muscleman-turns-84-his-most-adorable-pics-with-family-see-pics/story-l5Kxl05Vj5nhAMaqLE2XnI.html |access-date=12 March 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> His ancestral village is [[Dangon]], near Pakhowal Tehsil [[Raikot]], [[Ludhiana]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Dharmendra nostalgic on visiting Dangon|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131106/ldh1.htm#8|date=6 November 2013|work=Ludhiana Tribune|access-date=15 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110402/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131106/ldh1.htm#8|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kashyap |first1=Archita |title=I am a farmer's son: Dharmendra |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-am-a-farmers-son-dharmendra/article7361469.ece |access-date=3 November 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=27 June 2015 |language=en-IN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103093244/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-am-a-farmers-son-dharmendra/article7361469.ece |archive-date=3 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He spent his early life in the village of [[Sahnewal]] and studied at [[Government Senior Secondary School Meethari Marwar|Government Senior Secondary School]] at [[Lalton Kalan]], [[Ludhiana]], where his father was the village school's headmaster.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sumbly|first=Vimal|title=From Ludhiana to Bikaner in support of Dharmendra|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040503/ldh1.htm#2|date=2 May 2004|work=Ludhiana Tribune|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181855/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040503/ldh1.htm#2|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He did his matriculate in [[Phagwara]] in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|title=Affidavit|url=http://ceorajasthan.nic.in/Affidavits_pc/2/DEOL%20DHARMENDRA%20KEWAL%20KRISHAN/DEOL%20DHARMENDRA%20KEWAL%20KRISHAN_SC5.html|work=Chief Electoral Officer, Rajasthan|access-date=16 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123615/http://ceorajasthan.nic.in/Affidavits_pc/2/DEOL%20DHARMENDRA%20KEWAL%20KRISHAN/DEOL%20DHARMENDRA%20KEWAL%20KRISHAN_SC5.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

 

Dharmendra's first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bobby Deol Reportedly Attacked Hema Malini with a Knife After Dharmendra's 2nd Marriage; Here's What Prakash Kaur Said on the Matter! |url=https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOW-dharmendra-hema-controversy-5440408-PHO.html |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=dailybhaskar |date=16 October 2016 |language=en}}</ref> He had two sons from this marriage, [[Sunny Deol|Sunny]] and [[Bobby Deol|Bobby]], both successful film actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta. His nephew [[Abhay Deol]] is also an actor.

 

After moving to [[Mumbai|Bombay]] and getting into the film business, Dharmendra 'married' [[Hema Malini]] after allegedly converting to [[Islam]] to stay married to his first wife without having to get a divorce,<ref name="converted">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Celebrities-who-converted-to-Islam/photostory/30985640.cms|title=Celebrities who converted to Islam|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227231411/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Celebrities-who-converted-to-Islam/photostory/30985640.cms|archive-date=27 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> although he later denied having converted.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dharmendra or "Dilawar Khan?"|url=http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-30Jun04-Print-Edition/163006200433.htm|access-date=18 June 2016|publisher=[[Milli Gazette]]|date=30 June 2004|quote=When his political rivals brought the issue to the notice of election authorities and the general public, he denied his conversion to Islam and change of name.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624093107/http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-30Jun04-Print-Edition/163006200433.htm|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He and Malini starred together in a number of movies in the early 1970s, including ''[[Sholay]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hema Malini on 35th wedding anniversary|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/love-is-togetherness-hema-malini-on-35th-wedding-anniversary/16181170|access-date=2 May 2015|work=[[Mid-Day]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921114842/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/love-is-togetherness-hema-malini-on-35th-wedding-anniversary/16181170|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dharmendra – Action King: Personal life|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/pictureStory.php?galId=1101&pg=4&view=4|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126142727/http://www.indianexpress.com/pictureStory.php?galId=1101&pg=4&view=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 January 2013|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2 July 2011}}</ref> The couple has two daughters, [[Esha Deol]] (an actress, born in 1981) and Ahana Deol (an assistant director, born in 1985).

 

 

He worked with [[Nutan]] in ''[[Soorat Aur Seerat]]'' (1962), ''[[Bandini (film)|Bandini]]'' (1963), ''[[Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya]]'' (1966). and ''[[Dulhan Ek Raat Ki]]'' (1967); with [[Mala Sinha]] in ''[[Anpadh]]'' (1962), ''[[Pooja Ke Phool]]'' (1964), ''[[Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi]]'' (1966), and ''[[Ankhen (1968 film)|Ankhen]]'' (1968); with [[Nanda (actress)|Nanda]] in ''[[Akashdeep]]'' (1965); and with [[Saira Banu]] in ''[[Shaadi (1962 film)|Shaadi]]'' (1962) and ''[[Ayee Milan Ki Bela]]'' (1964). Dharmendra formed a successful pairing with [[Meena Kumari]] and shared the screen in 7 films namely ''[[Main Bhi Ladki Hoon]]'' (1964), ''[[Kaajal]]'' (1965), ''[[Purnima (film)|Purnima]]'' (1965), ''[[Phool Aur Patthar]]'' (1966), ''[[Majhli Didi]]'' (1967), ''[[Chandan Ka Palna]]'' (1967) and ''[[Baharon Ki Manzil (1968 film)|Baharon Ki Manzil]]'' (1968). He had a solo hero role in ''[[Phool Aur Patthar]]'' (1966), which was his first action film. It has been speculated for a long time that [[Meena Kumari]] and Dharmendra had an intimate relationship in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mishra|first1=Vijay|title=Bollywood cinema : temples of desire|date=2002|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-0415930154|page=xvi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N5Z9_ysSgW8C&pg=PA1|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Pal|first1=Chandrima|title=Men who loved and left Meena Kumari|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Meena-Kumari-Queen-of-broken-hearts/articleshow/21839971.cms|access-date=18 January 2017|publisher=Mumbai Mirror|date=15 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205140014/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Meena-Kumari-Queen-of-broken-hearts/articleshow/21839971.cms|archive-date=5 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Jha|first1=Subhash K|title=The essential guide to Bollywood|date=2006|publisher=Lustre Press|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-8174363787|page=1966|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s1mVuJJPm3UC&pg=PA1950|access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> [[Meena Kumari]] helped him to establish himself among the A-listers of that time.{{sfn | Mehta | 2016 | p=1949}} ''[[Phool Aur Paththar]]'' became the highest-grossing film of 1966 and Dharmendra was nominated for [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor]] for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dharmendra charms the Big Apple|url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/22/slide-show-1-dharmendra-wows-new-york.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=23 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200450/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/22/slide-show-1-dharmendra-wows-new-york.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> His performance in ''[[Anupama (1966 film)|Anupama]]'' was critically acclaimed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hema Malini 35th marriage anniversary|url=http://post.jagran.com/Love-is-togetherness-says-Hema-Malini-on-35th-marriage-anniversary-1430549819|access-date=2 May 2015|issue=Post.jagran.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504014231/http://post.jagran.com/love-is-togetherness-says-hema-malini-on-35th-marriage-anniversary-1430549819|archive-date=4 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He was given a souvenir at the [[14th National Film Awards]] in recognition of his performance in the film.<ref>{{cite news|title=Film awards presented|agency=Press Trust of India|publisher=The Indian Express|date=11 October 1967|page=7}}</ref> He did romantic roles in films like ''Aaye Milan Ki Bela'', ''[[Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke|Aaya Sawan Jhoomke]]'', ''[[Mere Humdum Mere Dost]]'', ''[[Ishq Par Zor Nahin]]'', ''[[Pyar Hi Pyar]]'' and ''[[Jeevan Mrityu]]''. He did suspense thrillers like ''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]'', ''[[Blackmail (1973 film)|Blackmail]],'' [[Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?|''Kab Kyun Aur Kahan'']] and ''[[Keemat (1973 film)|Keemat]]''. He received a [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Filmfare Best Actor]] nomination for an action hero role in the 1971 hit film ''[[Mera Gaon Mera Desh]]''. Having played romantic as well as action hero parts, he began to be called a versatile actor by 1975.

His most successful pairing was with [[Hema Malini]], who went on to become his wife.<ref name="Express2">{{cite web|title=Dharmendra – Action King: Romantic hero|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/pictureStory.php?galId=1101&pg=1&view=1|work=The Indian Express|access-date=16 August 2010}}</ref> The couple played together in many films including ''[[Raja Jani]]'', ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'', ''[[Sharafat]]'', ''[[Naya Zamana]]'', ''[[Patthar Aur Payal]]'', ''[[Tum Haseen Main Jawaan]]'', ''[[Jugnu]]'', ''[[Dost (1974 film)|Dost]]'', ''[[Charas (1976 film)|Charas]]'', ''[[Maa (1976 film)|Maa]]'', ''[[Chacha Bhatija]]'', ''[[Azaad (1978 film)|Azaad]]'' and ''[[Sholay]]''. His most notable acting performances include ''[[Satyakam]]'' with [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/15dinesh.htm|title=Satyakam: Dharmendra's best role of his career|website=rediff.com|publisher=Rediff|access-date=23 December 2010|author=Dinesh Raheja|author-link=Dinesh Raheja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126212046/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/mar/15dinesh.htm|archive-date=26 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Sholay]]'', which is listed by [[Indiatimes]] as one of the ''"Top 25 must see [[Bollywood]] films of all time"''. In 2005, the judges of the 50th annual Filmfare Awards awarded ''[[Sholay]]'' the special distinction of [[Filmfare Best Film of 50 years]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 February 2006|title=Winners of 50th Filmfare Awards|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/winners-of-50th-filmfare-awards_277396.html|access-date=23 June 2020|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>

Dharmendra went on to star in a number of action films between 1976 and 1984, including ''[[Dharam Veer (1977 film)|Dharam Veer]]'', ''[[Charas (1976 film)|Charas]]'', ''[[Azaad (1978 film)|Azaad]]'', ''[[Katilon Ke Kaatil]]'', ''[[Ghazab]]'', [[Rajput (film)|Rajput]], ''[[Bhagawat]]'', ''[[Jaani Dost]]'', ''[[Dharm Aur Qanoon]]'', ''[[Main Intequam Loonga]]'', ''[[Jeene Nahi Doonga]]'', ''[[Hukumat]]'' and ''[[Raaj Tilak (1984 film)|Raaj Tilak]]''. Along with [[Rajesh Khanna]] he acted in ''Tinku'', ''[[Rajput (film)|Rajput]]'' and ''[[Dharm Aur Qanoon]]'', all of which became hits, however their last film in cameo appearance together; ''[[Mohabbat Ki Kasam]]'' (1986) was a flop.<ref>{{cite news|title=That's Entertainment|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 September 1986|page=3}}</ref> He worked with [[Jeetendra]] in ''[[Dharam Veer (film)|Dharmveer]]'', ''[[Samraat (film)|Samraat]]'', ''[[The Burning Train|Burning Train]]'', ''[[Jaan Hatheli Pe]]'', ''[[Kinara (film)|Kinara]]'', ''[[Dharam Karam|Dharam Karma]]'' and ''[[Nafrat Ki Aandhi]]''. He also played con man or gangster in ''[[Shalimar (1978 film)|Shalimar]]'', ''[[Qayamat (1983 film)|Qayamat]]'', ''[[Jaan Hatheli Pe]]'', ''[[Jhutha Sach (film)|Jhuta Sach]]'', ''[[Sitamgar]]'', ''[[Professor Pyarelal]]'' and ''[[Phandebaaz]]''. He also in 1987 movie, Superman, starring Puneet Issar where he played the villain

He has worked with various directors, each with a different style of film-making.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dharmendra – Action King: Comic leanings|url=https://www.couponraja.in/theroyale/dharmendra-action-king-comic-leanings/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131758/https://www.couponraja.in/theroyale/dharmendra-action-king-comic-leanings/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 September 2018|work=The Royale|access-date=23 December 2010}}</ref> His longest collaboration was with director [[Arjun Hingorani]] from 1960 to 1991. ''[[Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere]]'' was the debut film of Dharmendra as an actor and Arjun's first directorial venture with Dharmendra as the lead hero.<ref name="TOI1">{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/director-arjun-hingorani-who-introduced-sadhana-and-dharmendra-dies-at-92/articleshow/64055050.cms |title=Director Arjun Hingorani who introduced Sadhana and Dharmendra dies at 92 |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619110009/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/director-arjun-hingorani-who-introduced-sadhana-and-dharmendra-dies-at-92/articleshow/64055050.cms |archive-date=19 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name= "Joshi">{{cite book |last=Joshi |first=Sumit |title=Bollywood Through Ages |publisher=Best Book Reads |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WHQWCgAAQBAJ&q=Arjun+Hingorani&pg=PT65|isbn=9781311676696 }}</ref> They worked together in ''[[Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?]]'', ''[[Kahani Kismat Ki]]'', ''[[Khel Khilari Ka]]'', ''[[Katilon Ke Kaatil]]'' and ''[[Kaun Kare Kurbanie]]'' where [[Arjun Hingorani]] was the producer and the director, and ''[[Sultanat (1986 film)|Sultanat]]'' and ''[[Karishma Kudrat Kaa]]'', produced by [[Arjun Hingorani]]. He worked with director [[Pramod Chakravorty]] in ''[[Naya Zamana (1971 film)|Naya Zamana]]'', ''[[Dream Girl (1977 film)|Dream Girl]]'', ''[[Azaad (1978 film)|Azaad]]'' and ''[[Jugnu]]''. Dharmendra has played dual roles in many films such as ''[[Yakeen (1969 film)|Yakeen]]'' (1969) as both the hero and the villain, ''[[Samadhi]]'' (1972) as father and son, ''[[Ghazab]]'' (1982) as twin brothers, unrelated identical person in ''[[Jhutha Sach (film)|Jhuta Sach]]'' and ''[[Jeeo Shaan Se]]'' (1997) in triple roles.

Dharmendra has worked with all members of the [[Kapoor family]] except for [[Prithviraj Kapoor]] and [[Kareena Kapoor Khan|Kareena Kapoor]]. He has periodically made films in his native tongue of [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], starring in ''[[Kankan De Ohle]] ''(Special Appearance) (1970), ''[[Do Sher]]'' (1974), ''[[Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam]]'' (1974), ''[[Teri Meri Ik Jindri]]'' (1975), ''[[Putt Jattan De]]'' (1982) and ''[[Qurbani Jatt Di]]'' (1990). Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he continued to appear in many [[Bollywood|Hindi films]] in both leading and supporting roles.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

In 1997, he received the [[Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award]]. While accepting the award from [[Dilip Kumar]] and his wife [[Saira Banu]], Dharmendra became emotional and remarked that he had never won any [[Filmfare Awards|Filmfare award]] in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] category despite having worked in so many successful films and nearly a hundred popular movies.<ref>{{cite web|title=The real stars of Bollywood|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/11corner.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=23 December 2010|date=11 March 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310070326/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/11corner.htm|archive-date=10 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Speaking on this occasion [[Dilip Kumar]] commented, "Whenever I get to meet with God Almighty, I will set before Him my only complaint – why did you not make me as handsome as Dharmendra?".<ref>{{cite web|title=I was the Salman Khan of my days: Dharmendra|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/i-was-the-salman-khan-of-my-days-dharmendra/495016/0|work=The Financial Express|access-date=23 December 2010|date=28 July 2009}}</ref>

==Television career==

On 29 July 2011, ''[[India's Got Talent]]'' aired on [[Colors (TV channel)|Colors]] with Dharmendra as the new judge and surpassed the opening ratings of the previous two seasons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dharmendra fetches higher ratings for India's has Got Talent-3|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-04/tv/29850204_1_reality-show-tvr-average-rating|access-date=23 August 2016|date=4 August 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701182038/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-04/tv/29850204_1_reality-show-tvr-average-rating|archive-date=1 July 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==As a producer and presenter==

In 1983, Dharmendra set up a production company known as [[Vijayta Films]]. In its maiden venture ''[[Betaab]]'', released in 1983, [[Vijayta Films]] launched [[Sunny Deol]] as the lead actor. The movie was the second highest-grossing movie of the year. In 1990 he produced the action film ''[[Ghayal (1990 film)|Ghayal]]'', also starring Sunny. The film won seven [[Filmfare Awards]], including the [[Filmfare Best Movie Award|Best Movie Award]]. It won the [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]. Dharmendra then launched the career of his younger son, [[Bobby Deol|Bobby]], in 1995 in ''[[Barsaat (1995 film)|Barsaat]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vijayakar |first1=Rajeev |title=Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Rangeela and more: 1995 was an exceptional year |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/dilwale-dulhania-le-jayenge-rangeela-1995-exceptional-year/ |access-date=25 March 2020 |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=1 March 2020}}</ref>

Dharmendra served as a [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of the Indian Parliament]] ([[Lok Sabha]]) representing [[Bikaner]] in [[Rajasthan]] from 2004 to 2009 on behalf of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. During his election campaign in 2004, he made an offensive remark that he should be elected [[dictator perpetuo]] to teach "basic etiquette that democracy requires" for which he was severely criticized.<ref>{{cite web|title=Congress makes Dharam garam|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/23dtake.htm|publisher=Rediff|access-date=23 December 2010|date=23 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010183540/http://www.rediff.com/election/2004/apr/23dtake.htm|archive-date=10 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> He rarely attended [[Parliament of India|Parliament]] when the house was in session, preferring to spend the time shooting for movies or doing farm-work at his farm house.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dharmendra – Action King: Political career|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/pictureStory.php?galId=1101&pg=6&view=6|work=The Indian Express|access-date=23 December 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Dharmendra and Sunny Shah.jpg|thumb|Dharmendra being awarded in 2019]]

* [[38th National Film Awards|1990]] – [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]] – ''[[Ghayal (1990 film)|Ghayal]]''

* In the mid-seventies, Dharmendra was voted one of the most handsome men in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dacoit To Con Man: Dharmendra Posters On His Birthday!|url=http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/bollywood-latest/dacoit-to-con-man-dharmendra-posters-on-his-birthday/|publisher=Koimoi.com|access-date=12 January 2011|author=Koimoi.com Team|date=8 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117125420/http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/bollywood-latest/dacoit-to-con-man-dharmendra-posters-on-his-birthday/|archive-date=17 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

* In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image]] (MAMI) [[Mumbai Film Festival|International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibosnetwork.com/newsmanager/templates/template1.aspx?articleid=21234&zoneid=4|title=Dharmendra, Rishi Kapoor win at 10th M.A.M.I event|access-date=2 January 2009|date=14 March 2008|publisher=IBOS}}</ref>

* In 2011, he received a "Salaam Maharashtra Award" for completing 50 years in the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dharmendra Bags 'Salaam Maharashtra Award' For 50 Years in B'Town!|url=https://www.movietalkies.com/news/dharmendra-bags-salaam-maharashtra-award-for-50-years-in-btown/|access-date=26 June 2020|website=Movie Talkies|language=en}}</ref>

* {{IMDb person}}

[[Category:14th Lok Sabha members]]