Dharmendra's Inspiring Journey: From Rs. 51 to Bollywood's He-Man Superstar

Dharmendra Singh Deol’s journey to stardom began humbly in Nasrali village, Punjab, where he was born on December 8, 1935. Despite an early passion for films, his path to Bollywood was filled with struggles. Upon arriving in Mumbai, he had only Rs. 200 earned from working in a garage and no place to stay. He worked overtime and even slept at the garage to make ends meet.

His Bollywood debut came on November 4, 1960, with the film "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere," directed by Arjun Hingorani. Though he expected Rs. 5,000 for the role, he was paid just Rs. 51—a sum he considered lucky because three people had contributed 17 rupees each. This marked the humble beginning of the actor who would become famously known as Bollywood’s "He-Man."

In 1966, Dharmendra starred in "Patthar Ke Phool," his first action film. The movie became the highest-grossing film of the year with a budget of Rs. 70 lakh and gross earnings of Rs. 14.40 crore worldwide. Besides his hero roles, he also won acclaim as a villain in the 1964 film "Aayi Milan Ki Bela," which earned him widespread fame.

Before entering Bollywood, Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. Years later, he married Hema Malini in 1980 after converting to Islam, while still remaining married to his first wife. The famous love story between Dharmendra and Hema Malini is believed to have started on the sets of the 1975 blockbuster "Sholay," where he cleverly bribed the lightman to get extra shots with her.

Across his 65-year career, Dharmendra acted in over 300 films, captivating audiences with his powerful performances in classics like "Anupama," "Satyakam," "Sita Aur Geeta," "Sholay," "Chupke Chupke," and "Dharam-Veer." His legacy as a versatile actor and iconic star will forever remain in the hearts of film lovers.