Veteran actor Dharmendra, who died at 89, leaves behind not only an illustrious cinematic legacy but also one of Bollywood's most respected and expansive film families.
Known as the "He-Man" of Hindi cinema, Dharmendra's family spans across multiple generations of actors, filmmakers and professionals, each carrying forward a part of his legacy.
Here's a detailed look at the Deol family tree.
Dharmendra was born to Kewal Krishan Singh Deol, a school teacher, and Satwant Kaur, in Nasrali village, Ludhiana district, Punjab.
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954, when he was just 19 years old - well before his entry into films. The couple has four children together: two sons and two daughters.
Sunny Deol, the eldest son, is a well-known actor, director, and politician. He is married to Pooja Deol, and they have two sons: Karan Deol, who is an actor married to Drisha Acharya, and Rajveer Deol, also an actor who debuted in the film Dono.
Bobby Deol, the younger son, is an actor and producer married to Tanya Ahuja, an interior designer. They have two sons named Aryaman Deol and Dharam Deol, the latter named after Dharmendra himself.
Among the daughters from this marriage, Vijayta Deol lives largely away from the limelight and is married to Vivek Gill; they have two children: Prerna and Sahil Gill.
Ajeeta Deol, the youngest daughter, resides in California away from the film industry and is married to Dr Kiran Chaudhri. She has two children, Dr Nikita Mina and Dr Prianka Chaudhri.
In 1980, Dharmendra married actress Hema Malini, his co-star in several hit films, including Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, and Sholay. Their relationship had been the subject of immense public interest and controversy, as Dharmendra remained legally married to Prakash Kaur at the time.
Despite the public scrutiny, Dharmendra and Hema Malini's marriage endured, and the two went on to have two daughters together.
The eldest daughter, Esha Deol, an actress, was earlier married to businessman Bharat Takhtani, and they have two daughters named Radhya and Miraya Takhtani.
Ahana Deol, a classical dancer and entrepreneur, is married to Vaibhav Vohra. They have twin daughters named Astraia and Adea, as well as a son named Darien Vohra.
Hema Malini and her daughters live separately in Mumbai, while Dharmendra largely stayed with his first family. However, he maintained cordial relations and was present during important family milestones and celebrations.
Dharmendra's Extended Family
Dharmendra's younger brother, Ajit Singh Deol, was also an actor and producer. He was the father of Abhay Deol, known for his roles in Dev D, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Shanghai. Abhay shares a close bond with both Sunny and Bobby Deol, often referring to Dharmendra as a father figure.
The Next Generation
The Deol legacy continues through Dharmendra's grandchildren, many of whom are gradually stepping into the spotlight.
Karan Deol and Rajveer Deol, sons of Sunny Deol, represent the third generation of Deols in the Hindi film industry.
Aryaman Deol and Dharam Deol, Bobby's sons, are currently pursuing their studies but are expected to enter the entertainment field in the future.
From the Hema Malini side, Esha Deol's daughters, Radhya and Miraya, and Ahana Deol's children - Astraia, Adea and Darien - form the youngest generation of the Deol family.
Dharmendra's Net Worth
Dharmendra's estimated net worth between Rs 335 crore and Rs 450 crore. In his six-decade career, Dharmendra made savvy investments, and had a remarkable discipline. The Deol family's combined fortune is thought to surpass Rs 1,000 crore, solidifying their status as one of India's most powerful cinematic dynasties.
