The End of an Era: Dharmendra's Final Curtain Call
The Indian film industry mourns the loss of one of its most iconic stars as Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 on Monday morning. Born in 1935, the veteran actor began his cinematic journey in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere after winning a film magazine contest, but his personal life remained as dramatic as his on-screen roles until the very end.
A Life of Dual Commitments: Two Marriages, One Heart
Long before his Bollywood debut made him a household name, Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 when he was merely 19 years old. The couple built their family with four children: Sunny Deol (born 1957), Vijayta (1962), Ajeeta (1966), and Bobby Deol (1969). While Dharmendra's star power grew exponentially in the film industry, Prakash chose to remain away from the limelight, focusing on raising their children and maintaining their home.
In a revealing interview, Bobby Deol shared that his mother was the strict disciplinarian in the family, often being the one to "straighten them up" while his father never resorted to physical punishment. Despite the growing distance in their marriage as Dharmendra's career soared, Prakash eventually moved to Mumbai to be with her husband as he established himself as a leading Bollywood hero.
The Meena Kumari Chapter: A Passionate Interlude
In 1966, Dharmendra's domestic life faced its first major storm when rumors of his affair with legendary actress Meena Kumari began dominating film magazines. Though neither party publicly acknowledged the relationship, the truth emerged after Meena Kumari's tragic death in 1972.
Fellow actress Nargis, in a heartfelt letter written posthumously, declared that Meena Kumari was "crazy in love" with Dharmendra, calling him the only man she ever loved passionately. The two had first worked together in 1964's Main Bhi Ladki Hoon and went on to collaborate in numerous successful films including Kaajal, Phool Aur Patthar, and Chandan Ka Palna.
Nargis described this period as "the most beautiful phase" of Meena Kumari's life, though the chapter closed even before her untimely demise, leaving behind whispers of what might have been.
The Hema Malini Saga: A Bollywood Love Story
The 1970s brought another twist in Dharmendra's romantic life when he fell deeply in love with his co-star Hema Malini. Their professional collaboration began with 1970's Sharafat and Tum Haseen Main Jawan, blossoming into one of Bollywood's most enduring partnerships both on and off screen.
Their chemistry became legendary during the filming of iconic movies like Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, and Jugnu. Hema Malini later recalled their Sholay days, admitting "He was very fond of me as I was of him. We had a lovely relationship because we had worked on so many movies together."
Despite strong opposition from her family, particularly her mother Jaya Chakravarthy who wanted to end the relationship because Dharmendra was married, Hema stood her ground. In her biography, she revealed her simple motivation: "I just knew that he made me happy. And all I wanted was happiness."
The Wedding That Shook Bollywood
The relationship faced its toughest test when Hema's parents arranged a meeting with Jeetendra's family in 1974, hoping to marry her off to someone else. When Dharmendra learned about this development, he and Shobha Sippy (who was dating Jeetendra) flew to Chennai to intervene.
Hema's father confronted Dharmendra directly, asking "Why don't you get out of my daughter's life? You are a married man, you can't marry my daughter." But love prevailed, and the proceedings were stopped.
In 1980, after her family issued an ultimatum, Hema gave Dharmendra a choice. She recalled, "I called him and I said, 'You'll have to marry me now.' He said, 'Yeah, I'll marry you.' So that is how it happened."
Navigating Complex Family Dynamics
Following their marriage, Dharmendra and Hema Malini faced significant social criticism. Hema was labeled the "first lady of second marriages" and faced considerable backlash, though she handled it with remarkable dignity.
The couple maintained separate households, with Hema continuing her acting career—a rarity for married actresses at the time. They welcomed two daughters: Esha Deol in 1981 and Ahana Deol in 1985. The news of Hema's first pregnancy was kept so private that Dharmendra booked an entire nursing home with 100 rooms to ensure their privacy.
Meanwhile, Prakash Kaur maintained her dignified silence, speaking only once to Stardust magazine in 1981. In that interview, she displayed remarkable understanding, stating "Why only my husband? Any man would have preferred Hema over me" and defending him against accusations of being a womanizer by pointing out that "half the industry is doing the same thing."
She acknowledged that while he might not have been the best husband, he was "certainly the best father" who never neglected his children.
Rumors and Realities
Since Dharmendra married Hema without divorcing Prakash, rumors circulated that he had converted to Islam to legally practice polygamy. Speculation suggested they had changed their names to Dilawar and Ayesha Bi and performed a nikaah ceremony in 1979.
Both Dharmendra and Hema consistently denied these allegations. In 2004, while contesting Lok Sabha elections, Dharmendra firmly stated "This allegation is totally incorrect. I am not the kind of man who will change his religion to suit his interests." Hema, then a Rajya Sabha member, echoed similar sentiments.
A Legacy of Love and Understanding
Despite the unconventional nature of their relationships, all parties involved displayed remarkable maturity and respect for each other. Hema Malini never interfered with Dharmendra's first family, explaining "I didn't want to disturb anyone. I am happy with whatever Dharamji did for me and my daughters."
Dharmendra deeply appreciated Hema's dignified approach, acknowledging that she had "sacrificed a lot to give happiness to everyone around you sometimes at the cost of your own emotions."
In a touching display of family harmony, Prakash Kaur even looked for suitable matches for Esha Deol at one point, demonstrating the complex but functional dynamics that had evolved over time.
The two families maintained separate lives for the most part, with Esha first meeting Prakash in 2011 when she was 30 years old. Esha recalled the brief but cordial encounter: "I touched her feet, she blessed me and I walked away."
Dharmendra is survived by his first wife Prakash Kaur and their children Sunny, Bobby, Ajeeta, and Vijayta; and by his second wife Hema Malini and their daughters Esha and Ahana. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian cinema, leaving behind not just a rich filmography but also a personal story that captivated the nation for decades.
