Dharmendra-The Original He Man of Bollywood

Happy 82nd Birthday DHARMENDRA
Dharmendra was born in Punjab on December 8, 1935, and spent most of his childhood in Sahnewal village.Came to Bombay in 1958 and won the ‘New Talent’ contest conducted by Filmfare magazine.Got his first break in the 1960 film ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’, Got the real star status after giving the biggest hit of the year 1966 Phool Aur Patthar’

He became the first He Man of the Industry.Dharmendra blended machismo with marshmallow tenderness and won a major female following.

In the ’60s, Dharmendra represented moral seriousness in Hindi cinema; in film after film, the characters he played tried to reconcile the conflicting demands of love, advancement and integrity. He specialised in playing the respectable professional. He was a jail doctor in ‘Bandini’, a barrister in ‘Mamta’, an engineer in ‘Satyakam’ and ‘Aadmi aur Insaan’ Dharmendra played himself in the 1971 comedy ‘Guddi’, which did reasonably well at the box office.

After the success of Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) the image  of an action hero.got confirmed.Dharmendra acted in several action films such as ‘Dharam Veer’,Sholay ‘Charas’, ‘Ghazab’ Jugnu,Azaad, Katilon Ke Kaatil, , Bhagawat, Jaani Dost, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Main Intequam Loonga, Jeene Nahi Doonga, Hukumat, and ‘Rajput’. In his long career consisting of some 300 films.

In 1983 Deol set up a production company known as Vijayta Films. Its first film was Betaab, released in 1983, starring his son Sunny Deol as the lead actor in his debut movie. The film was a blockbuster. In 1990 he produced the action flick Ghayal, also starring Sunny. Dharmendra launched the career of his younger son, Bobby, in 1995 in Barsaat.He also launched his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005).

Dharmendra never got Filmfare award for acting but I consider he gave excellent performance in films like Phool aur Patthar’, ‘Satyakam’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Pratigya’, ‘Sholay’ and ‘Naya Zamana’

Dharmendra is a gentleman he had no dispute with anyone personally,perhaps this is the secret behind his evergreen popularity.He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

Dharmendra married Hema Malini who was his heroine in many films.It was his second marriage.His first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. From his first marriage, he has two sons, Sunny and Bobby, successful actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta.

On his birthday I present some of his hit songs

         Song from Shola Aur Shabnam (1961)

Song from Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964) 

Song from Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966) 

Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966)

Song from Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) 

Song from Jeevan Mrityu (1970)

Song from Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) 

Song from Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) 

Song from Black Mail (1973) 

Song from Pratigya (1975)

Song from Sholay (1975)

Song from Dharam Veer (1977) 

RARE PHOTOES OF DHARMENDRA

Dharmendra with his family members in Punjab

dharmendra-wife-daughter.

Enjoying the Birthday party

Hema and Dharmendra Marriage

Dharmendra with Sunny and Bobby

Body Double and Duplicates of Bollywood Actors

In Hindi cinema, the job of a lookalike is not just to look like the original,but also copy their mannerism and be experts at mimicry.They single- handedly fight lions, jump from one skyscraper to the other with ease or fight with the villain.These stunt doubles live in anonymity for years, while the stars garner all the praise. Similarly Body doubles are used for Heroines in case of Bold Scenes.In the film "7 Khoon Maaf"A particular scene required Priyanka to drop her top and expose her back. The audience was made to believe that they were ogling at PeeCee's bare back while in reality it was somebody else's.

In 1974 a film 5 Rifles produced and directed by I. S. Johar was released,the USP of that film was that the film stars Rajesh Khanna's look-alike Rakesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor's look-alike Shahi Kapoor to encash the popularity of those stars that time,These duplicates were the lead actors of that film. 

Another duplicate Kishore Bhanushali, who played Junior Dev Anand in Dil worked in many films because he did the mimicry of Dev Anand.

We all know that Pakeezah took over 14 years to complete, mainly because of the famously tumultuous relationship between Kamal and Meena Kumari.Her health was not well during the completion of the film.Her condition became so bad that during the filming of the grueling emotional mujraa “Teer-e Nazar,” Meena Kumari collapsed. A body double, none other than filmi vamp Padma Khanna, was recruited to replace her! Meena Kumari personally trained her for the scene, and the song was filmed with the majority of the dancing done with an opaque chunni hiding Padma’s face!

Wahid Lala who was a son of stone quarry labourer He was the first in his family to make a career off daredevilry. He started in 1951, worked in seven Bimal Roy and nine Jugal Kishore productions, was Pran’s body double, and loved smashing cars more than Rohit Shetty does,” he grins. “My most dangerous stunt was in Chakkar Pe Chakkar [1977] — a two-minute chase ending with my car flipping over 10 times.”

Wahid Lala

Manjit Singh-Over three decades ago, Manjit Singh, who worked with action director Veeru Devgan father of Ajay Devgan, found himself at a unique advantage. He bore resemblance to Bollywood's biggest icon Amitabh Bachchan. And simply by virtue of this fact alone, Manjit become hot property in Hindi cinema.Manjit also did stunts for many other actors between 1975 to 2000 but his entire identity came from the fact that he was Amitabh's double. One interesting fact that his son Amrit now works as Abhishek Bachchan's double

Manjit Singh -the body Double of Amitabh Bachchan

Afzal Khan- a third generation stuntie, who has been a double for Salman Khan (Ek Tha Tiger, Jai Ho, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and  Prem Ratan Dhan Payo) and Aamir Khan (PK). His grandfather, the late Fazal Khan, was a tall, strapping Pathan employed as a watchman at a south Bombay theatre in the 1950s, when he was cast opposite Dara Singh and Dharmendra in fight sequences. Later,his eldest brother Usman  did stunts and acted as a double for Raj Kapoor in Dharam Karam (1975) and Mera Naam Joker (1970).He was also Rishi’s regular double — from Hum Kisise Kum Nahin (1977) till 2015 film All is well.Usman performed stunts in women’s clothing. For Mere Apne (1971), Usman, as Meena Kumari, was hit by a car. He also performed stunts for Sadhana and Reena Roy, in female dress.

Fazal and Usman

Mansoor Khan-started his career when he was only 17 in 2007.With the support of his maternal uncles Nishant Khan and Sattar Ahmad, both veterans in this field, Mansoor began to train as a stunt.He received the MSAA card after a year and today, the 27-year-old is recognised as one of the best in the industry. With his gym-toned body and curly hair, he has boeen a double for Hrithik Rshan in Agneepath (2012), Bang Bang! (2014) and  Mohenjo Daro.

Mansoor Khan with Hritik

Geeta Tandon -This 31 years old claims to be the only stuntwoman to have successfully attempted car chases.Most women don’t like to perform stunts that involve long hours in the sun or getting dirty in the mud,” she says. “But I did it all. Recently, I did a car chase scene for Aishwarya Rai’s 'Jazbaa'. She has worked as a stunt double for many, including Parineeti Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Deepika Padukone

Geeta Tandon with her children

 Sanobar Pardiwala is Another Stuntwoman who has done some brilliant stunts for top actresses like Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif.

15 Father-Son Jodis of Bollywood

There are many father son Jodis in Bollywood but there are few such Jodis who have shared screen together.The trend can probably be credited to the first family of Bollywood, when Prithviraj Kapoor played father to son Raj Kapoor in Awaara. The audience feels a certain connect with real life fathers and sons playing the same relation on-screen as well.In fact there was a film Kal Aaj Aur Kal in which father, son and grand son shared the screen together.Prithviraj Kapoor played father to real life son Raj Kapoor, whereas Raj played father to real life son Randhir Kapoor in this saga about generation gap.The film was directed by Randhir Kapoor.

Another Legendary Actor was Dev Anand who shared screen with his son Suneil Anand in Anand Hi Anand 1984.This film was produced and directed by Dev Anand himself.

Balraj Sahni was another legendary actor who share the screen together with his son Parikshit Sahni in a film Pavitra Paapi 1970 not as father son.

Shashi Kapoor  who has two sons Kunal and Karan,shared the screen with his son Kunal Kapoor first time in 1972 film Siddhartha as father ans son that time Kunal was a child.In 1978 film he shared the screen with both the sons.Later in 1982 film Vijeta both appeared as father and son.In 1984 film Utsav both appeared again but not as father and  son.

 Rajendra Kumar not only designed a debut movie for his darling son Bunty better known as Kumar Gaurav, which turned him into an overnight phenomena but also played his indulgent father on screen in the 1981 blockbuster, Love Story.They also appeared in two other films Lover and Phool

Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt in Rocky 1981 and even though he played his on screen father in it.They also appeared as  father son in Kshatriya 1993 and Munna Bhai MBBS 2003.

Feroz Khan and Fardeen got together for movies like Janasheen 2003 and Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena 2005 where their characters are not related to each another. But they sure get points for sharing the screen together.

Dharmendra who has two sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol was first seen together with both in Apne 2007 as father sons and also in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2011 and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 in 2013.Dharmendra and sunny appeared together in 13 films and Bobby and Dharmendra in 8 films.In Dharmveer Bobby appeared as a child role of Dharmendra.

Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan shared screen was Sarkar 2005 as father and son There is a unique film PAA in which Abhishek played the role of father of Amitabh.In all they shared screen together in 17 films.Some of the popular films were Bunty Aur babli, Bol Bachchan 2012 and Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna 2006.

Vinod Khanna and his son Akshay Khanna shared one film together as father son in Himalaya Putra 1997 In this typically 1990s hash, they play a father and son oblivious of their blood connection and the drama it all leads up to.

Jeetendra and his son Tusshar Kapoor appeared in 2 films .The first film was Kuchh To Hai in 2003 which was Tusshar's Debut film in which both acted as father and son

Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir Kapoor worked together in Besharam 2013 here in this film in the end Ranbir Kapoor is adopted by Rishi Kapoor.

Rajesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan: Although Rakesh Roshan and son Hrithik didn't share any screen space in Koi Mil Gaya, it was only because Rakesh's character dies before the birth of his son. But the father-son jodi was one of the highlights of the film, that won critical acclaim for Hrithik, 

Murad (1910–1997) was an Indian character actor who appeared in more than 100 Bollywood films from the early 1940s through to the end of the 1980s playing character roles of a father, police officer, judge and an emperor. His son Raza Murad is also an actor in the Bollywood industry who is known for playing mostly villain roles.Both of them shared screen in Johar-Mehmood in Goa 1965

Pankaj Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor have shared screen in one film Shaandaar 2015 where he played the father of heroine.

Happy Birthday DHARMENDRA

Dharmendra born  on 8th December 1935 at  Nusrali, a village in Ludhiana district Punjab.His real name was Dharam Singh Deol.One of the most respected veteran actors in Indian film industry, he is the recipient of the prestigious Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema. He was also honored with India's third highest civilian honor Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.In 2011, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Ratna Award at the Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Awards.Young, well-built, and good-looking, he developed an interest in the show business and won the ‘Filmfare’ magazine's new talent award. Following this he decided to pursue an acting career and moved to Mumbai in search of better prospects.

He got his first break with Arjun Hingorani's ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ in 1960.He had a supporting role in the film Boy Friend in 1961,He was cast as the romantic interest in several films between 1960-67but real break came with  Phool Aur Patthar (1966), This film made him the He Man of Bollywood.Phool Aur Paththar became the highest-grossing film of 1966 and Dharmendra received his first Filmfare nomination for Best Actor.

His most successful pairing was with Hema Malini with whom he gave many hits.Some of the hits were  Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Sharafat, Naya Zamana,  Jugnu, Dost, Charas, Chacha Bhatija, Azaad, and Sholay.

Dharmendra worked with many A list actresses like Meena Kumari, Mala Sinha, Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Parveen Babi, Hema Malini, Reena Roy, Jaya Prada. Since Dharmendra did both romantic and action films, he was called a versatile actor.

He started his career in 1960 and had to deal with the mercurial rise of Shammi Kapoor. In the 60´s, he had to contend with Rajendra ‘Jubilee’ Kumar as well. Come 1969 he lived and thrived in the shadow of the Rajesh Khannaphenomenon. And just before he could stake claim to the marquee crown in the early ’70s, came the angry young man Amitabh Bachchan.

In 1983 Dharmendra set up a production company known as Vijayta Films. Its first film was Betaab, released in 1983, starring his son Sunny Deol as the lead actor in his debut movie. The film was a blockbuster. In 1990 he produced the action flick Ghayal, also starring Sunny. The film won seven Filmfare Awards, including the Best Movie Award. It won National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Dharmendra launched the career of his younger son, Bobby, in 1995 in Barsaat.He also launched his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005).
He appeare with both his sons, Sunny and Bobby for the first time in their Home Production Apne in 2007,later he starred alongside his sons again in Yamla Pagla Deewana released on 14 January 2011.

Dharmendra's first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. Later he married Hema Malini after converting to Islam to stay married to his previous wife without having to get a divorce,

Although he was not crowned as superstar, he remained the most loved star of Bollywood. He is a born entertainer and we reckon, like most eccentric geniuses, doesn’t know where to stop. The reason Dharmendra continued to be a successful leading man,let's Celebrate his 81st Birthday with some of his memorable songs.

Song from Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere 1960

Song from Shola Aur Shabnam 1961

Song from Soorat Aur Seerat 1962

Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi 1966

Song from  Anupama 1966

Song from Aaye Din Bahar Ke  1966

Song from Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968) 

Song from Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970)

Song from Seeta Aur Geeta (1972)

Song from Kahani Kismat Ki (1973)

Song from Sholay (1975)

Song from Dharam Veer (1977)

Song from Black Mail (1973)