Veteran actor Dharmendra, known as Bollywood’s ‘He-Man,’ has passed away at 89 years old. The iconic star had been battling age-related health issues for some time. His passing brings renewed attention to a personal life as captivating as his on-screen roles, particularly his celebrated dual love stories.
Dharmendra first married Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was 19. This was before his illustrious film career began. He remained committed to his first family throughout his life.
With Prakash Kaur, he had four children: sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajita. He managed to balance his family life with his burgeoning career for many years.
A significant turn in Dharmendra’s personal narrative came in the late 1960s. He met the “Dream Girl” of Bollywood, Hema Malini, on the set of the film ‘Sharaafat’. Their professional acquaintance quickly blossomed into a deep friendship, then a powerful romance.
Their bond intensified during the filming of the blockbuster ‘Sholay’. Hema Malini’s gentle demeanor and striking beauty profoundly captivated Dharmendra. Their love story, however, faced considerable societal and familial challenges.
Hema Malini’s father strongly opposed the relationship because Dharmendra was already married. Despite the public scrutiny and family disapproval, Hema Malini was resolute in her decision to marry him.
To overcome the legal hurdles and marry Hema Malini without divorcing his first wife, Dharmendra made the decision to convert to Islam. This allowed him to enter into a second marriage under personal law.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini were married on May 2, 1980. They went on to have two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Even today, Dharmendra and Hema Malini are recognized as one of Bollywood’s most prestigious and talked-about couples. Dharmendra’s complex and passionate love stories are etched into the history of Hindi cinema. He lived love with intensity, both in his roles and in his personal life.