Dharmendra

He has four children with his first wife Prakash Kaur (Born August 1,1936). Prakash's father's name was Mithin Singh Sohi. Two sons, the Bollywood stars Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol and two daughters Ajeeta and Vijeta.

He did his intermediate from Ramgarhia College, Phagwara in 1952.

Dharmendra's first marriage was to Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. From his first marriage, he has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol both successful actors, and two daughters,Vijeeta Deol and Ajeeta Deol. He has 4 grand sons named Karan, Rajvir, Aryaman, and Dharam. Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini during the filming of Sholay.

Dharmendra is one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema. Dharmendra Deol played the romantic hero in woman centric films from 1960-1968 and became romantic hero from 1968-69 and played the role of action hero from 1971-1997. Dharmendra has appeared in 306 films. He is known as 'Garam' Dharam in Bollywood. Had the looks of a real gentle man, masculine body of a he-man and when it came to his films, he had a very humorous touch in his dialog-delivery and the timing. Dharmendra's original name is Dharam Singh Deol. He was born in a Jat Sikh family in Phagwara in Kapurthala district in the Indian state of Punjab to Kewal Kishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur. He spent his early life in village Sahnewal and studied at Government Senior Secondary School at Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana.

He made his debut with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960).

Often in 1960's till 1971 he played the romantic lead opposite female leading ladies in woman oriented films where the female protagonist's role overshadowed his roles with Dharam playing only supporting role in these films opposite Meena Kumari, Nutan, Mala Sinha, Sharmila Tagore. Phool Aur Paththar was the turning point in his career and established him as an action hero and as a solo lead hero.

After which he got supporting roles in the film Boy Friend (1961) and was cast as the romantic interest in several woman oriented films from 1960-1967, where the story revolved around the heroine's character and, he was usually cast as a romantic hero opposite senior established leading actress of the time and later, from 1974 on-wards, as an action hero.

Eldest daughter's name is Vijayta Kishan Deol Gill. Nick name is Lally. She was born on June 21,1962. Vijayta is now settled in Delhi,India. Vijayta is married to Vivek Gill ( Son of Avtar Singh Gill ). They married in December 1988. VIjayta's father in law Avtar was born in 1932. Vijayta's husband Vivek Gill was born on September 2, 1961. Vijayta Deol Gill was director of the business Rajkamal Holdings and Trading PVT.LTD. in 1988. ThIs position was also held co held by her husband Vivek Gill. Vivek was also director of Homeland Hospitality Private LTD in 1986. Vijayta and Vivek have 2 children. A daughter named Prerna Gill who is now a famous author. Vijayta Deol Gill also has a young teenage son. Prerna Gill married world famous advocate Pulkit Deora in April 2017. Pulkit practices in New Delhi.

His major breakthrough was playing supporting role to hero Rajendra Kumar in Aaye Milan Ki Bela, where his character was negative and supporting role in patriotic film Haqeeqat (1964) and playing romantic interest in woman oriented films from 1960-1967 and playing supporting roles to Balraj Sahni, Ashok Kumar, Biswajit in some films from 1960-67 like Soorat Aur Seerat, Bandini, Mamta, Ghar Ka Chirag.

Starred in Alok Chitra's shelved film " Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil " in 1965. The film co starred Shashi Kapoor. This would have been the first film they both worked in.

The heroics in his films - Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Jugnu (1973), Raja Jani (1972) and Loafer (1973) - are all quite remarkable and unforgettable.

His sensitive side was explored by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in Anupama (1966) and Satyakam (1969), the latter is considered one of the best performances of his career.

He got solo hero stardom with the blockbuster, Phool Aur Patthar (1966), which was his first action film but he became established action hero from 1971 film Mera Gaon Mera Desh. He projected himself as romantic hero with films like Pyar Hi Pyar, Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Mere Humdum Mere Dost and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.

He was a romantic hero till Rajesh Khanna entered the scene in end of year 1969. Dharmendra's career shifted from being a romantic hero to action hero with Mera Gaon Mera Desh directed by Raj Khosla.

Hema Malini was the biggest female star of 1970s and they went on to star in hits such as Tum Haseen Mein Jawan, Sharafat (1970), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Raja Jani (1972), Jugnu (1973), Pratiggya (1975), Sholay (1975), Charas (1976), Azaad(1977), Dillagi (1978), among many others. Dharmendra proved his versatility and comic timing through Pratiggya, Chupke Chupke and Sholay.

He has also periodically made films in his native tongue of Punjabi, starring in Kankan De Ole (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).

Artistically and popularity wise his peak period was the 1971-1979 where he did multi star as well as solo hero films in action and comedy genres and when his performances was appreciated by critics as well as audiences.

He cemented his image as action hero with successful films like Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Raja Jani (1972), Jugnu (1973), Kahani Kismat Ki and Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973). Dharmendra formed a popular onscreen pair with Hema Malini who later became his second wife.

In Ramesh Sippy's Sholay (1975) he shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan and is still remembered for his inimitable portrayal of Veeru. His best romantic pairing was with the actress Asha Parekh with whom he had 5 hits - Shikhar, Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Samadhi and Mera Gaon Mera Desh. His next best pairing was with Hema Malini, with whom he did 35 films of them 31 had them as a leading romantic pair and Dharam Hema had 20 hits and 15 flops.

He was the 2nd highest paid actor along with Vinod Khanna in Hindi films from 1976-1982 and Dharam alone was 3rd highest paid Hindi actor from 1987-1993 of A grade Hindi Films. In the early 70s, Dharmendra became the first Indian actor to be voted among the most handsome men in the world. Through the 70s and 80s, Dharmendra worked with some of the biggest names in B'town such as Bimal Roy, Yash Chopra, Raj Khosla, Ramesh Sippy, Rajkumar Santoshi, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterji.

As the Hindu Marriage Act forbade polygamy, he converted to Islam in 1979 to avoid protests and give legitimacy to his second marriage. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Esha is an actress and Ahana is a dancer.

Dharm Hema married in 1980 and Dharm-Hema have 2 children together, Esha and Ahana and he has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol from previous marriage with Prakash Kaur.

She eventually married him in 1980.

His commercial hits from 1981 included Ram Balram, Professor Pyarelal, Kaatilon Ke Katil, Naukar Biwi Ka, Jaani Dost, Samraat, Bhaghavat, Raaj Tilak, Jaagir, Qayamat, Insaaf Kaun Karega, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Loha, Sone Pe Suhaga, Mardo Wali Baat, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Nafrat Ki Anandi, Batwara and Elaan E Jung.

In 1983, Dharmendra diversified into production and launched his elder son Sunny in 'Betaab', which was produced by his banner Vijayta Films and was a huge hit.

Critics panned every film he did from 1985-2002 with exception being critically acclaimed films Burning Train, Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor, Jhutha Sach, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Rajput and Ghulami.

His film Hukumat in 1987 was highest grossing film of that year.

in 1990, he produced Ghayal starring Sunny Deol in lead. The film was the second biggest hit of the year and won 7 Filmfare Awards including Best Film award and the coveted National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

He continued to be strong in 1990s as the best action hero even stronger than Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff.

His commercial hits in 1990s included Veeru Dada, Naka Bandi, Farishtay, Tehalka, Kshatriya, Maidan E Jung and Dharma Karma. The low brow action films directed by likes of Kanti Shah damaged his action career in late 90s. Dharmendra was nominated 4 times for Best Actor Award at Filmfare Awards but never won.

Did 13 B grade Action films with Hemant Birje in 1991-2003.

He was successful A grade hero till 1993 and after 1994, most of his films were called as B grade action movies as they had lower production values and were mostly directed by Kanti Shah, Surinder Kapoor and Dilip Gulati and star-cast often included actors like Hemant Birje, Mohan Joshi, Raza Murad, Shakti Kapoor,Jay Mehta, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Kiran Kumar.

He would later go on to launch the successful careers of his younger son Bobby in 'Barsaat'(1995) and nephew Abhay Deol in 'Socha Na Tha'(2005) under the banner.

Starred in the shelved film "Desh" (1996) starring Dharmendra, Aditya Pancholi, Puru Rajkumar, Mamta Kulkarni,Karina Grover, Mohan Joshi,Mukesh Rishi,Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl.

He got nominated for Filmfare best actor 4 times in his career though he couldn't get one but got "The Life Time Achievement" award in 1997 from Filmfare for his achievements, splendid performance during his times and wonderful career in Bollywood. Dharmendra was fond of movies from a young age. He participated in the Filmfare new talent contest, which he won and came to Mumbai from Punjab looking for work.

He was honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Filmfare in 1997.

He made a comeback to A grade films with a role in Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (1998).

Dharmendra's image took a beating with B grade films in mid 90s but he bounced back with films like Life in A Metro, Apne, Johny Gaddaar in late 2000s.

He stopped taking up lead roles in B grade movies from 2003. As a supporting actor he achieved success with Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, and made a come-back to A grade Hindi films with successful films like Life in a Metro (2007), Apne (2007) and Johnny Gaddaar (2007). His film Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) was box-office hit in 2011.

He joined politics and was elected as a Member of the Parliament in the 2004 general elections, from Bikaner in Rajasthan, on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket.

Dharmendra is one of the most commercially successful stars of Hindi cinema. According to a survey called Big Box Office Bucks conducted by The Economic Times in 2006, Dharmendra was the 4th highest grossing star of all time. The list was topped by Amitabh Bachchan.

He returned to acting in 2007 with films Life in a. . . Metro and Apne were acclaimed and successful. In the latter, he appears with both his sons, Sunny and Bobby for the first time. His other release was Johnny Gaddaar, where he played a villainous role.

In 2011, he starred alongside his sons again in Yamla Pagla Deewana released on 14 January 2011 and was a success.

His also acted with his daughter Esha in his wife Hema Malini's directorial venture Tell Me O Khuda in 2011.

In 2011, Dharmendra replaced Sajid Khan as the male judge of the third series of popular reality show India's Got Talent.

A sequel Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 was released in 2013.

Daughter's Ajeeta and Vijeta are married and settled in Califonia, USA. Vijeta's daughter was married in Delhi in April 2017.