The outstanding performances by Dharmendra! : Chupke Chupke

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The outstanding performances by Dharmendra!

The outstanding performances by the ‘He-man of Bollywood’

Dharmendra Deol, touted as one of the most ‘handsome actor’ that Indian cinema ever, had started his struggle in late 1950’s. With his good looks and charming smile Deol went ahead to win the Filmfare New Talent award. This kick-started his 53 year long career in Bollywood. Apart from being a good actor, Deol also made a successful venture in production and TV.

On this occasion of Dharmendra’s birthday let’s take a look at some of his most unforgettable roles in Hindi Cinema.

Phool Aur Patthar

Dharmendra debuted in Bollywood with the movie ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ in 1960. Since then he featured in many movies, and failed to land a meaty role. It was O. P. Ralhan`s movie ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ in 1966, which gave Deol the much needed recognition in Bollywood. Deol played a villainous character, which was an instant hit among the audience. Apart from getting nominated for the Best Actor category in the Filmfare awards, his rough look in the movie gave him the title of the ‘He-Man of Bollywood’.

Shalimar

In 1978 Dharmendra featured in the first Hollywood collaboration movie-‘Shalimar’. The movie starred many big names from Hollywood as well as Bollywood, like Zeenat Aman, Shammi Kapoor, Prem Nath and Aruna Irani; English actor Sir Rex Harrison; American actors, John Saxon and Sylvia Miles. Deol played the undercover petty thief in this crime thriller. Even though the movie didn’t create much ripples at the Box-Office, the music and its plot is still highly appreciated. The movie was said to be way ahead of it’s times.

Yaadon Ki Baaraat

This Nasir Hussain multi-starrer Bollywood drama- ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ was a huge hit. Deol who by then was called ‘Garam Dharam’ played the role of the elder brother from a family that gets separated and turns into a criminal in the movie. Dharmendra’s ‘dhamakedaar’ entry in the movie- where he jumps from a bridge on the moving train- made him look more convincing as a criminal. There were other two actors who were cast in the supporting roles but no one could supersede Dharam ji’s performance as a serious criminal.

Satyakam

In 1969, Dharmendra delivered his finest performance in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Satyakam’. The movie, which is based on a Bengali novel by Narayan Sanyal, has him playing the role of character named ‘Satyapriya’- who is a man of high morals and principles, one who wants to build a new India. Deol’s excellent portrayal of the character ‘Satya’ was appreciated by one and all. The movie, which showed the plight of a country through an honest man, was also one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s brilliant works.

Sholay

How can one forget Deol’s projection of a ‘fun-loving’, ‘mischievous’ man named ‘Veeru’, in Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Sholay’? Deol shunned his ‘serious He-Man’ image for the cult classic movie. Be it Deol’s famous suicide act or his teasing and flirting with ‘Basanti’ (played by Hema Malini), his antics in the movie are still remembered as some of the unforgettable scenes. His acting prowess was applauded by the one and all.

Chupke Chupke

Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s classic comedy- ‘Chupke Chupke’ gave Deol a chance to show his knack in this genre. Deol, who plays the role of a botany professor – ‘Parimal Tripathy’ marries Sharmila Tagore –‘Sulekha Chaturvedi’. The story takes an interesting turn when Parimal cons Sulekhas’s brother-in-law played by Om Prakash, as a ‘shuddh’ hindi speaking driver from Allahabad. The movie is a laugh riot as all its characters including Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan in supporting roles were fabulous. This was Dharmendra’s third movie with Hrishikesh Mukherjee, after ‘Satyakam’ and ‘Guddi’.

by Harpreet Kaur