On November 11, the entire country was in a state of shock over the news of the death of legendary actor Dharmendra. But he returned. The actor returned home again with everyone’s prayers. However, the entire family was upset by the speculation. However, within two weeks, speculation about the actor’s health started again. Because the family suddenly became busy from the morning of Monday, November 24.

This time, he did not return like a phoenix. The family has not yet officially announced the news of Dharmendra’s death. However, Esha Deol and Hema Malini were seen at the Pawan Hans crematorium.

The Deol family is full of Bollywood stars. The news of Dharmendra’s illness spread in early November. There were rumors of the actor’s death on November 11. Which the family dismissed. Dharmendra returned home from the hospital two days later. But the last rites were not performed. On Monday, November 24, Dharmendra left for the country of no return.

Early Days and Aspirations of Bollywood

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born to a Jat family in 1935 in Ludhiana, Punjab, British India. He was the son of a headmaster but had little interest in earning his marks at school. After seeing Dilip Kumar and Motilal perform, he began dreaming of becoming a hero on the silver screen.

Dharmendra looked absolutely fantastic in his youth. He was beautiful and very strong, but because of financial difficulties had to work on the fields and at the ghats. With a mindset like a lotus growing in mud, however, he kept his hopes alive. His family wanted him to settle down and so married him to Prakash Kaur at 19, but even then, he did not move away from pursuing his aspirations.

In 1958 he sent a letter asking to be a part of the Filmfare Talent Hunt and that letter, changed his life. He received a call from Mumbai and was the recipient of the competition, all because of his talent. He later recalled, “I was feeling very anxious when the announcement was being made at Mehboob Studio. There were many other talented actors there and no one knew who would win.”

This win brought him to the attention of Bimal Roy. Dharmendra was selected for Bandini. Although it was his first film, it took time to release. While waiting, he struggled to survive in Mumbai. He went from producer to producer, had no money, and often missed meals. At one point, he thought of returning home, but Manoj Kumar encouraged him to stay.

Rise to Fame and Personal Life

Dharmendra made his debut in Bollywood in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960). The film was not successful, but he achieved his first success in Shola Aur Shabnam (1961) and did not look back. In 1966, Phool Aur Patthar elevated him to action hero status in Bollywood. He provided many industry hits, including Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Charas, Chupke Chupke, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Dost, Azaad, and The Burning Train.

Dharmendra’s looks cause him to be not just handsome, but some believed that his muscles overshadowed his ability to act.

Dharmendra’s personal life also remained a topic of scrutiny. He married Prakash Kaur before working in films, with her bearing four children, seeing the rise of Sunny and Bobby Deol in his son and daughter English. He fell in love with Hema Malini which was controversial because the family did not support it. When Hema’s father passed away, Dharmendra and Hema married in 1980 without ending the first marriage. Dharmendra and Hema had two daughters, Esha and Ahana.

Dharmendra also stepped into politics. In 2004, he won the election from Bikaner, Rajasthan, on a BJP ticket. He continued working in films with his sons under their home banner and remained passionate about acting until his last days. Even at 87, he impressed audiences in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. His final appearance will be in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, releasing on December 25.