Much has been written about Dharmendra's romance with his frequent co-star and second wife Hema Malini, but few know about his first wife of 71 years, Prakash Kaur, who remains behind the spotlight.
Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur with their sons Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol. Photo: Instagram/ Film History Pics
Their relationship, though often kept away from public glare, is one of quiet endurance, rooted in companionship and mutual respect.
A Marriage Before The Movies
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954, long before he became Bollywood's "He-Man" and one of the most sought-after actors in the country. At that time, he was just Dharam Singh Deol from Punjab - a 19-year-old man with a Bollywood dream. Theirs was an arranged marriage. But as they grew up together, so did their relationship over the years.
When Dharmendra moved to Mumbai in the late 1950s to pursue acting, Prakash remained his anchor. She managed the home and raised their four children - Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta - while he built an extraordinary career spanning more than six decades.
Despite being away for long stretches of time, Dharmendra often acknowledged her as the foundation of his life, the woman who silently held the family together.
The Test Of Time
As Dharmendra's fame soared, his life became the subject of public fascination. His chemistry with his Sholay co-star Hema Malini turned into a real-life romance, one that captured headlines for years.
In 1980, he married Hema in a private ceremony, a move that stirred considerable controversy. Yet, even through all that, Prakash Kaur remained steadfast, and continued to maintain a warm relationship with her husband's extended family.
In a rare interview, Prakash Kaur once spoke about how she had no resentment towards Hema and that Dharmendra's happiness was what mattered most. A year after Hema and Dharmendra's marriage, in a 1981 interview with Stardust, Prakash Kaur defended her husband, acknowledging that any man would have been attracted to someone like Hema.
She also called out the double standards of critics, questioning how Dharmendra could be labelled a "womaniser" when similar behaviour was quite common in the film industry.
Family And Forgiveness
Prakash Kaur, now in her late 80s, has largely stayed away from the media spotlight, preferring a private and peaceful life surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
In a recent interview, Bobby Deol revealed that Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur live together at their Khandala farmhouse, enjoying a relaxed life in their twilight years.
Despite the complexities of their personal lives, Dharmendra always remained married to Prakash. The couple completed 71 years of their marriage on June 12, 2025.
While Dharmendra and Hema Malini became one of Bollywood's most celebrated couples, his bond with Prakash Kaur is one that has stood the test of time, away from the flashlights of the cameras.