Dharmendra Deol (B.1935)

Actor born in Phagwara, Punjab. Former mechanic in a factory. Top Hindi star for three decades. Created an influential image as a markedly North Indian, even specifically Punjabi macho man devoted to his mother and committed to upholding the honour of the family or of the village. Since the mid-70s, after Bachchan’s impact, mainly in action films, occasionally using complicated gadgetry but always emphasising peasant simplicity and beating the villain in physical combat. Since mid-80s, notably in T. Rama Rao’s films but also in other Madras-based Hindi productions, his presence is used mainly to ensure a film’s nationwide distribution in a respectable economic category. His early 60s films, in sharp contrast to his current post-Sholay image, presented a secularised Hindustani version of Bengali literary stereotypes, launched by Bimal Roy’s Bandini and continued in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 60s socials (Anupama, Manjhli Didi, Satyakam) and in Phani Majumdar’s Akashdeep. Early 70s work transposed this image into tales of existential suffering (Mohan Segal?’s Raja Jani) and into Mukherjee’s whimsical comedies (Guddi, Chupke Chupke) made alongside Pramod Chakravarty and Arjun Hingorani thrillers and films like Vijay Anand’s Blackmail. Currently promoting his son Sunny Deol (e.g. Sunny; Ghayal, 1990); best-known performances of the 90s in J.P. Dutta? films.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1955: Railway Platform; 1960: Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere; 1961: Boy Friend; Shola Aur Shabnam; 1962: Anpadh; Shadi; 1963: Soorat Aur Seerat; Bandini; Begana; 1964: Aap Ki Parchhaiyan; Aayi Milan Ki Bela; Ganga Ki Lehren; Haqeeqat; Main Bhi Ladki Hoon; Mera Kasoor Kya Hai; Pooja Ke Phool; 1965: Akashdeep; Chand Aur Suraj; Kajal; Neela Akash; Purnima; 1966: Anupama; Aaye Din Bahar Ke; Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi; Devar; Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya; Dulhan Ek Raat Ki; Mamata; Pari; Mohabbat Zindagi Hai; Phool Aur Patthar; 1967: Ghar Ka Chirag; Chandan Ka Palna; Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai; Manjhli Didi; 1968: Aankhen; Baazi; Baharon Ki Manzil; Izzat; Mere Humdum Mere Dost; Shikar; 1969: Soldier; Admi Aur Insaan; Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke; Pyar Hi Pyar; Satyakam; Yakeen; Khamoshi; 1970: Ishq Par Zor Nahin; Jeevan Mrityu; Kab Kyon Aur Kahan; Man Ki Aankhen; Mera Naam Joker; Sharafat; Tum Haseen Main Jawan; 1971: Guddi; Mera Gaon Mera Desh; Naya Zamana; Rakhwala; 1972: Do Chor; Lalkaar; Raja Jani; Seeta Aur Geeta; Samadhi; Jiban; Anokha Milan; 1973: Blackmail; Jheel Ke Us Paar; Jugnu; Jwar Bhata; Kahani Kismat Ki; Keemat; Loafer; Phagun; Yaadon Ki Baraat; 1974: Dost; International Crook; Kunwara Baap; Patthar Aur Payal; Pocketmaar; Resham Ki Dori; Do Sher; 1975: Teri Meri Ik Jindri; Apne Dushman; Chaitali; Chupke Chupke; Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatti; Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka; Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja; Pratigya; Saazish; Sholay; 1976: Charas; Maa; 1977: Chacha Bhatija; Do Sholay; Dream Girl; Khel Khiladi Ka; Chala Murari Hero Banne; Dharam Veer; Do Chehre; Tinku; Charandas; Kinara; Swami; 1978: Azad; Dillagi; Phandebaaz; Shalimar; 1979: Dil Ka Heera; The Gold Medal; Kartavya; Chunauti; 1980: Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor; Ram Balram; The Burning Train; Aas Paas; 1981: Qatilon Ke Qatil; Krodhi; Professor Pyarelal; Khuda Kasam; Naseeb; 1982: Badle Ki Aag; Baghavat; Do Dishayen; Ghazab; Main Inteqam Loonga; Meharbani; Rajput; Samrat; Teesri Aankh; 1983: Naukar Biwi Ka; Andha Kanoon; Putt Jattan De; Jaani Dost; Qayamat; Razia Sultan; 1984: Dharam Aur Kanoon; Jagir/Teen? Murti; Jeene Nahin Doonga; Jhootha Sach; Raj Tilak; Sunny; Baazi; 1985: Ghulami; Karishma Kudrat Ka; Sitamgarh; 1986: Begana; Main Balwan; Mohabbat Ki Kasam; Savere Wali Gadi; Sultanat; Insaniyat Ke Dushman; Loha; 1987: Aag Hi Aag; Dadagiri; Hukumat; Insaaf Kaun Karega; Insaaf Ki Pukar; Jaan Hatheli Pe; Mard Ki Zabaan; Mera Karam Mera Dharam; Watan Ke Rakhwale; 1988: Khatron Ke Khiladi; Mardon Wali Baat; Soorma Bhopali; Zalzala; Mahaveera; Paap Ko Jalakar Raakh Kar Doonga; Ganga Tere Desh Mein; Sone Pe Suhaaga; Vardi; Aakhri Muqabala; Yateem; 1989: Kasam Suhaag Ki; Nafrat Ki Aandhi; Sachaai Ki Taaqat; Batwara; Elaan-e-Jung; Sikka; Shehzade; Hathyar; Ilaaka; 1990: Pyar Ka Karz; Nakabandi; Humse Na Takrana; Veeru Dada; Sher Dil; Kanoon Ki Zanjeer; Paap Ki Aandhi; 1991: Kaun Kare Qurbani; Mast Kalandar; Dushman Devata; Farishte; Trinetra; Hamla; Kohraa; 1992: Virodhi; Zulm Ki Hukumat; Tahalka; Kal Ki Awaaz; Khule Aam; Kshatriya; Waqt Ka Badshah; 1993: Superman; Kundan; Aag Ka Toofan; 1994: Maha Shaktishali; Juari; Rakhwale; 1995: Maidan-e-Jung; Azmayish; Taaqat; Paapi Devata; Veer; Hum Sub Chor Hain; Fauji; Binani Hove To Isse.

Actor