Garam Dharam, best-known for films such as Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Phool Aur Paththar and Chupke Chupke, shows no signs of slowing down even as he turns 79. Dharmendra is still the life of the party at various Bollywood events and celebrations.
Here's a pictorial look at his journey as he turns a year older
Dharam Singh Deol was born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab's Kapurthala district. His father was a school headmaster and his mother a housewife.
Dharmendra spent his childhood in a village. He moved to Mumbai after winning the Filmfare New Talent award. Among his early films was the acclaimed Bandini (1963), co-starring Nutan and Ashok Kumar.
Haqeeqat (1964), a movie set against the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and co-starring Priya Rajvansh, was Dharmendra's first major hit.
He romanced Meena Kumari in hit films like Kaajal (1965) and Phool Aur Patthar (1966) which was his first movie as the solo male lead. He received his first Filmfare Best Actor nomination for the role.
Dharmendra earned critical acclaim as well as box-office success for Anupama in 1966. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who cast him opposite the gorgeous Sharmila Tagore.
As the Sixties drew to a close, Dharmendra made the transition from black and white to colour in movies like Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966) opposite Asha Parekh, and Mere Humdum Mere Dost (1968) with Sharmila Tagore.
He starred with Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Satyakam in 1969. Dharmendra's performance as a man of convictions dealing with life in a newly independent India is considered among his career-best.
Dharmendra's next box-office hits were Pyar Hi Pyar (1969), Aya Saawan Jhoom Ke (1969), Jeevan Mrityu (1970) and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971).
In 1971, Dharmendra appeared as himself, the object of Jaya Bhaduri's affections, in the hit film Guddi.
Dharmendra and (then) future wife Hema Malini made cinematic magic in films like Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Raja Jani and Jugnu (1973).
- In 1973, Dharmendra featured in the musical blockbuster Yaadon Ki Baaraat. The film also featured Zeenat Aman, Vijay Arora and Tariq Khan.
Among Dharmendra's most admired roles is that of Professor Parimal Tripathi in the comedy Chupke Chupke (1975). The movie also featured Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, David, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee.
Dharmendra's Bollywood journey continued with Dream Girl (1977), Dharam Veer (1977) and Chacha Bhatija (1977).
- However, despite Dharmendra's star status, his resume contains such box office turkeys as Shalimar (1978) and The Burning Train (1980).
Also a disaster was Razia Sultan (1983) with Hema Malini playing the only female Sultan of Delhi. The film bombed at the box-office and Dharmendra's appearance as a black slave was especially reviled.
A string of flops hit Dharmendra with films such as Hathyar (1989), Batwara (1989), Farishtay (1991) and Tahalka (1992). 30 years after he debuted in 1960's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, it seemed as though it was time for Dharmendra to wind up. But he wasn't ready to stop just yet. He tried his luck and failed with a character role in Kshatriya (1993). A string of forgettable and forgotten films followed.
The 2004 comedy Kis Kis Ki Kismat did nothing to revive Dharmendra's career, beyond hogging headlines for his kiss with actress Mallika Sherawat.
In 2007, things looked up a little. Dharmendra played the role of senior citizen Amol in Life in a ... Metro, which did fairly well at the box office.
In 2007 came the superhit Deol home production Apne, starring both Dharmendra's sons Sunny and Bobby with the patriarch himself playing the role of an ageing boxer. He also worked in crime thriller Johnny Gaddar in the same year.
In 2011, Garam Dharam reunited with sons Sunny and Bobby in the hit comedy Yamla Pagla Deewana. Dharmendra also made a guest appearance in Tell Me O Kkhuda, directed by wife Hema Malini and starring daughter Esha.
- In, 2013, he was next seen in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, a sequel to his 2011 film, with his sons Sunny and Bobby. The film was a flop. He will be next seen in a double role in Punjabi ilm Double Di Trouble which is produced by Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts.
In 2012, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
Dharmendra marked time on the small screen, appearing as a judge on reality show India's Got Talent and making a special appearance in the serial Sabke Sapne Saware Preeto.
Dharmendra married his first wife Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was 19. He has two sons, actors Sunny and Bobby and two daughters, Ajeeta and Vijeta, with her.
Dharmendra married Hema Malini in 1980. The romance raised eyebrows at the time but the couple finally married after converting to Islam so that Dharmendra did not have to divorce first wife Prakash. They had two daughters, Esha and Ahana, and Dharmendra still maintains two families.
Here's wishing Dharmendra a very happy birthday and many more movies to come.
