Dharmendra, the iconic Bollywood actor, producer, and politician, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. Known mononymously as Dharmendra, he was widely regarded as one of the greatest, most handsome, and commercially successful film stars in the history of Indian cinema. His career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in more than 300 films. While his on-screen persona is well-known, here are ten lesser-known stories from his life that reveal the man behind the legend:

1. Reluctant Student: As a child, Dharmendra reportedly disliked going to school. He often asked his mother to excuse him from attending, especially because his father, who was a school teacher, would scold him more than the other children.

2. Mother's Support: Dharmendra always dreamed of becoming an actor, and his mother was his biggest supporter. She encouraged him to pursue his passion and suggested that he apply to Filmfare's new talent hunt with his pictures.

3. Filmfare's New Talent Hunt: Dharmendra's application to Filmfare's talent contest proved successful, bringing him to Mumbai. He won the contest, which was judged by Bimal Roy, and caught the attention of the film industry. The magazine promised him work in movies.

4. Early Struggles: Despite winning the Filmfare talent hunt, the movie he was promised never materialized. To survive in Mumbai, Dharmendra worked in a drilling firm, earning Rs 200. He even lived in a garage during his early days in the city because he didn't have a proper home.

5. Debut and Recognition: Dharmendra made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. While the film wasn't a box office success, it marked the beginning of his illustrious career. He gained recognition with Chetan Anand's 1965 war film Haqeeqat. Phool Aur Patthar (1966) was his first action film and a major turning point, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year and establishing him as a saleable star.

6. Romantic at Heart: Dharmendra played a lover boy on screen multiple times and had a huge female following. Even off-screen, he was known as a die-hard romantic. It is said that during the shooting of Sholay (1975), Dharmendra fell in love with Hema Malini.

7. Bribing the Light Boys: During the filming of Sholay, particularly the intimate scenes with Hema Malini, Dharmendra would bribe the light boys to disturb the lights, leading to multiple retakes. He reportedly paid Rs 20 to the light boys each time, spending Rs 2000 to keep hugging Hema.

8. Marriage to Hema Malini: Hema Malini's parents initially opposed her marriage to Dharmendra because he was already married. There was even an instance where Dharmendra entered the marriage hall during her planned wedding with actor Jeetendra and was pushed out by Hema's father. Hema Malini refused to marry Jeetendra and later married Dharmendra. To marry Hema Malini without divorcing his first wife, Prakash Kaur, Dharmendra reportedly converted to Islam and changed his name to Dilawar Khan.

9. Seven Hits in a Year: In 1987, Dharmendra achieved a unique record by delivering seven clean hits at the box office, making him the only Bollywood actor to accomplish this feat in a single year.

10. Padma Bhushan and Political Career: In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honor. He also ventured into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the Bharatiya Janata Party, representing Bikaner in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009.

Dharmendra's journey from a small village in Punjab to becoming one of Bollywood's most iconic figures is a testament to his hard work, talent, and charisma. His contributions to Indian cinema have earned him numerous accolades and a special place in the hearts of millions. He will forever be remembered as the "He-Man" of Bollywood.