Monday Dec 8 6:17 PM
Dharamendra Singh Deol, better known as Dharamendra, turns 73 today. Born on December 8, 1953 in Ludhiana, he was the first truly macho male star to stride the marquee in Bollywood. He has often been known as Garam Dharam because of his drop dead gorgeous Greek God looks. Today, the actor, who is also a BJP MP, is raring to play his second innings in Hindi films. His two sons, Sunny and Bobby, daughter Esha and nephew Abhay have all followed in his footsteps and are making their mark on Bollywood in their own individual way.
Dharam, the first heman of Hindi films made his acting debut in Bollywood with the movie Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. In the early days of his career, he played a lot of romantic roles. His avatar as an action hero began only in the Seventies. During his tenure as a romantic hero, Dharamendra was paired opposite all the top leading ladies of his time, beginning with Nutan in Bandini Mala Sinha in Anpadh, Waheeda Rehaman in Khamoshi, Saira Banu in Aayi Milan Ki Bela and Meena Kumari in Kaajal and Phool Aur Pathar. It is believed that he was romantically involved with the diva Meena Kumari, who helped promote his career. In later years, Dharamendra was to form an enduring jodi with his second wife and Dream Girl, the lovely Hema Malini, with who he did quite a few films like, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Charas, The Burning Train, Jugnu, Aas Paas, Naya Zamana, Raja Jani, Pratigya, Dream Girl, Maa, Dilaagi, Razia Sultan etc. In all, the pair reportedly worked in more than 25 films together. Besides Hema, Dharamendra also worked successfully with many other heroines like Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore.
Besides action and romance, Dharamendra showed a rare flair for comedy as well and was part of the Hrisheksh Mukherjee classic, Chupke Chupke. It was under the baton of the same director that he revealed his histrionics in surely one of the best performances of his life in Satyakam. But it was the Jai Veeru jodi of Ramesh Sippy's Sholay, which probably was one of highlights of his career. Some of his other hit films include Aadmi Aur Insaan, Aaye Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Haqeeqat, Aap Ki Parchhaiyan, Mamta, Devar, Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi, Anupama, Aaaye Din Bahar Ke, Shikar, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Aankhen, Samadhi, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Blackmail, Phagun, Loafer, Jwar Bhata, Resham Ki Dori, Jheel Ke Us Paar, Kinara, Dharam Veer, Ram Balram, Rajput, among many, many others.
Dharmendra has had the good fortune of working with some of the best directors of Hindi cinema, beginning with Bimal Roy, Mohan Kumar, Kamal Amrohi, Yash Chopra, Raj Khosla, Basu Chatterjee, Ramesh Sippy and Rajkumar Santoshi. The actor turned to film production and launched his sons, Sunny and Bobby in Betaab and Barsaat respectively, and nephew Abhay in Socha Na Tha. He has made a comeback of sorts to acting with last year's A Life In A Metro and Johnny Gaddar, where he was much appreciated. The other film which did really well was Apne, where he acted along with his sons. Despite never ever receiving an award for acting, he was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, Lifetime Achievement Award from Zee Cine Awards in 2005, IIFA in 2007, and from MAMI in 2008. A darling of the masses, Dharamendra has truly been a man of the soil, humble even in his success. We wish you a very happy birthday Dharam paaji
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