Dharmendra was born as Dharam Singh Deol in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab on 8 December 1935 to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur into a Jat Sikh family.His ancestral village is Dangon, near Pakhowal Tehsil Raikot, Ludhiana.
Dharmendra was the winner of Filmfare magazine's nationally organised new talent award and went to Mumbai from Punjab, to work in the movie promised, being the award winner, but the movie was never made.He later made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. The film was below average . He later appeared as a second lead in Shammi Kapoor's Boy Friend. He tasted success with Shola Aur Shabnam and gave a bonafide hit Anpadh in 1962. After success of these two films he was signed from many makers.
He was first noticed in the Bimal Roy's directorial Bandini in which he played a role of charming doctor. The film was a box-office hit And was officially rated in the top 10 hits of 1963 by Picturpost (trade magazine).
In 1964 He starred in Aye Milan Ki Bela in which he co-starred with the superstar of that era Rajendra Kumar . Though Dharmendra played a grey shade role in the film but still he walked away with the credit and the laurels. The girls in filmfare even wrote that 'How can Saira Bano choose Rajendra Kumar over handsome Dharmendra'. The blockbuster success of this film made Dharmendra star overnight.
His next releases in 1964 was Haqeeqat, though the film was multistarer but still the main lead role was given to Dharmendra. The film was a box office bonanza and was among top 7 hits of 1964. It was critically acclaimed as well as Dharmendra role in the film was very appreciated. The film also won National Awards for Second Best Feature Film In 1965.
Dharmendra's solo 'Aap Ki Parchhaaiyaan' also did very well at the box-office.
The success of Aye Milan Ki Bela - Haqeeqat - Aap Ki Parchhaaiyaa made Dharmendra the most busiest young star in 1964.
Filmfare in 1964 stated that ' Even in the film industry, where sensational success stories are quite common, Dharmendra is special sensation. The village boy who made remarkably good is now the easily the most busiest young star. On the human side, despite success, he manages to keep a level head'.
Picturpost in 1964 quoted 'TALL and handsome, Dharmendra has a striking screen personality . Making his debut a few years ago in " Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere", he added to his stock of histrionic ability with each new role. He scored an outstanding personal triumph in Bimal Roy's "jubilee" hit "Bandini" and his popularity reached new heights as a talented player.'
Kaajal in which he starred with Meena Kumari and Rajkumaar was a big hit and was among top 5 hits of 1965. Neela Aakash which was produced by the makers of hit 'Anpadh' was a commercially successful film as well as critically claimed.
A magazine in 1965 quoted 'Within the brief period of five years or so Years in which the shy, unsophisticated somewhat inarticulate peasant boy rose to be a box office sensation '
1966 : The turning point year for Megastar Dharmendra
But he was yet to achieve mega - stardom and the mega - stardom come with OP Ralhan's Phool Aur Patthar which was the biggest blockbuster hit of 1966 . The film created all-time records in North and even beated Mughal E Azam amd Ganga Jamuna in North. The film was fourth biggest hit of 60s and only behind Mughal E Azam, Ganga Jamuna and Sangam in entire 60s decade. The mega success of Phool Aur Patthar was followed by superhit like Aye Din Bahar Ke and hits like Mamta, Devar, Anupama and Dil Nen Phir Yaad Kiya ---- All six smashing hit just in 1966. With the runway success of these films Dharmendra become the 3rd biggest star behind Dilip Kumar and Rajendra Kumar in 1966.
And also just after the success of Phool Aur Patthar he appeared in Anupama in which he wore a kurta-pajama. As Javed Akhtar rightly said 'Only Dharmendra could do it'. A completely different role from Phool Aur Patthar in which he had a macho role.
1967 was a dull year for Dharmendra as his none of his starrers did well at the box office but he bounced again in 1968 with Ankhen which too created all-time records in North by running for more than 80 weeks in East Punjab, U.P. and Rajasthan. Ankhen was followed by hit Mere Hamdam Mere Dost and superhit Shikar , which was among top 5 hits of 1968. Izzat also did tremendously well in U.P. and East Punjab but it couldn't repeat the same success in other territory and was just moderate success. The year 1968 proved be bumper for Dharmendra and he become second only next to Dilip Kumar in popularity. He left his contemporaries far behind in this year.
1969 : Despite the arrival of Rajesh Khanna tornado with Aradhana and Do Raaste, Dharmendra managed to score a big hit in Aye Saawan Jhoom Ke and hit Yakeen. Pyar Hi Pyar also did hit business in Bombay (now mumbai) and East Punjab. The film was overall an above average. His performance in Satyakam was an worth of an award winning though the film failed commercially but critically it was big success.
Despite Rajesh Khanna phenomia Dharmendra scored big hits in 1970 like Sharafat, Tum Haseen and Main Jawan and biggest of all them - Jeevan Mrityu , which ran for 117 weeks at Alankar, Bombay. Aadmi Aur Insaan which was most awaited film felt flat but the film did excellent business all over but couldn't achieve hit status due to mega budget.
1971 : The Rajesh Khanna was at high in 1971 with many superhits but the tornado of Rajesh Khanna couldn't affect Dharmendra as Dharmendra scored two big hits Mera Gaon Mera Desh and Naya Zamana - both among top 5 hits of 1971. Rakhwala also managed to do pretty well at the box-office. Guddi which was a tribute to Dharmendra was also a hit at the box office.It was very rare that a film has been made on a star. There was a dialogue in the film Guddi which rightly qualify . Bombay mein sirf do hi cheeze chalti hai ek Samundar Ki Lahren dusra Dharmendra'. In re-runs Mera Gaon Mera Desh went on to become the biggest blockbuster hit of 1971.
In 1972 he finally dethroned Rajesh Khanna with the blockbuster success of Seeta Aur Geeta and Raja Jani. Dharmendra become clearly the no. 1 superstar and it was followed by hits like Samadhi and Do Chor in the end of 1972.
1973 : The year 1973 was more than extraordinary for dharmendra as in 1973 he churned out mega blockbusters like Yaadon Ki Baaraat which ran neck to neck with Bobby and also crossed Bobby in 60% circuits. Yaadon Ki Baarat ran for 103 weeks in Madras and celebrated platinum jubilee in many centres. Jugnu created records in North and was a sensational Blockbuster . Loafer and Kahani Kismet Ki too were big hits at the box office while Jheel Ke Uss Paar, Jwar Bhata and Keemat were decent hits of 1973.
A magazine in jan 1974 quoted 'Garam Dharam had reigned as the top most male stars for the last 10 years and his 8 successive hits has consolidated his position in such a way that Garam Dharam will continue to be 'tops' for many years to come'.
1974 starred with a bang with Dost which was also the most awaited picture of 1974 and the film turned out to be the 3rd biggest blockbuster of 1974 behind Roti Kapda Aur Makaan and Chor Machaye Shor. Dharmendra's Patthar Aur Payal was also hit and Resham Ki Dori too did tremendously well In Bengal and just about above average in other circuits and the film was moderate hit.
1975 started with a bang with Pratigya which was a blockbuster and followed it with Chupke Chupke and at the last Sholay was released. Sholay turned out to the biggest grosser of all-time and also it is biggest hit of all-time as well. The success of Sholay also made clear difference between the standing of Dharmendra in industry and other stars in industries. Sholay ran for more than 250 weeks in Bombay.
Charas which released in 1976 had historic opening and probably one of the biggest opening of all-time. The film was mega hit . Maa too did reasonably well at the box office. The film celebrated platinum jubilee in Ludhiana
The fact is that Dharmendra hits were most of solo unlike his others stars ccontempararies who were giving hits in multistarer and were churning out flops in solo leads.
In 1976 he was given the title of the 'Most Consistent Box-Office Champion Of All-time'.
1977 : The year 1977 was historic as Dharam Veer become the second grosser of all-time behind Sholay then. Chacha Bhatija too was a blockbuster and Khel Khilari Ka also did well at the box office while Dream Girl managed to do average business.
Sunil Dutt in 1977 also stated that Dharmendra is the biggest star of all-time. And also in 1977 he was called the 'Biggest Hot-Seller in the commercial Bazaar! '.
Legendary superstar Dilip Kumar also stated in one of his interview that 'Despite historic success that Dharmendra has achieved , he is still humble and never forget to touch my feet whenever he meet to me'.
1978-1979 wasn't that good compared to the other historic years of Dharmendra since 1966 but still he had a big hit Azaad as well as good hit Kartavya and average grosser like Phandebaaz. In this period Shalimar flopped which was one of the most expensive film of that era.
Despite not-so-great success in the last 2 years of 70s and Amitabh mania being at high, the exhibitors association have categorically stated that it's Dharmendra who commands respect at Box office and his movies hit or flop stands at no 1 because of investment and returns on his movies. They also claimed that Dharmendra is paid Rs 7 lakhs per movie and there is no change in his renumeration - whether hit or flop.
Without any doubt the 70s undoubtedly belonged to Dharmendra with many mega hits as well as many superhits to his credit.
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| 1975 |
1980-1983 downfall period.
It was the starting of downfall for Dharmendra who had extraordinary success in late 60s and 70s . Apart from Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor and Kaatilon Ke Kaatil and to some extent Ghazab, Ram Balram and apart from these all the others films in this period underperformed like Bhagavat, Samraat, The Burning Train, Kroadhi, Badle Ki Aag and Qayamat. But despite all these underperformers, Dharmendra remained the biggest superstar behind Amitabh Bachchan in the first half of 80s in terms of popularity, fees and initial.
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| 1974 Picturpost trade magazine |
1984-1985 comeback period
Dharmendra made huge comeback with Ghulami - Naukar Biwi Ka - Jeene Nahi Doonga - Jhutha Sach - Jaani Dost - Karishma Kudrat Ka. All these films performed good at the box office and were commercially successful and the most successful among these films was Ghulami, which did blockbuster business and with Ghulami Dharmendra regained his lost position at the box office.
1987 : The Year 1987 was much more than extraordinary for Dharmendra and probably the best year ever recorded by a bollywood star after Dharmendra itself in 1973. The 1987 witnessed 7 hits from Dharmendra out of which Hukumat and Aag Hi Aag were blockbusters as well as Hukumat was biggest grosser of 1987 while Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Loha, Watan Ke Rakhwale were big hits and Insaaf Koun Karega, Insaf Ki Pukar were also good hits.
With the super success of these films, Filmfare in annual wrote at the end of 1987 that 'The old war horse Dharmendra is giving all a run for the money'.
At that time he was 52 years old and apart from Megastar Dharmendra only Salman Khan has delivered solo lead highest grosser of the year at the age of 52.
1988-1993 success continued.
Even after being more than 50 years old Dharmendra continued to delivers big hits like Elaan E Jung, Tehalka and moderate hits like Veeru Dada, Naakabandi, Kundan, Kal Ki Awaz and Pyar Ka Karz at the box office. This was also the fading phase of Dharmendra.
Post 1994 he signed many B and C grade movies for money which ruined his reputation as a superstar.
Dharmendra enjoyed the longest inning as a hit hero from 1961 to 1995. He is also the biggest solo superstar of all-time.
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