Dharmendra Won Hearts but Never Awards!
Written by veteran journalist Mansoor Khan
Legendary actor Dharmendra, who sadly passed away just a few weeks before his milestone 90th birthday, was fondly remembered by fans on December 8, 2025, his 90th birth anniversary. Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol opened the doors of their Juhu mansion to honour their beloved father.
Over his remarkable four‑decade career, Dharmendra won the hearts of audiences far more than he won awards. Surprisingly, he never received a National Award for Best Actor or even the popular Filmfare Award for Best Actor, despite delivering powerful performances in films like Satyakam, Phool Aur Patthar, and Sholay. Ironically, he did win both a National Award and a Filmfare Award — but as Best Producer — for his home production Ghayal (1990).
Popularly known as “He‑Man,” “Garam Dharam,” and affectionately as “Papa Ji,” Dharmendra was a versatile actor whose body of work spans every major genre in Hindi cinema, though he is best remembered as the ‘King of Action’. His action‑packed hits include Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Sholay (1975), Jugnu (1973), and Dharam Veer (1977).
His charismatic personality even earned him the label “James Bond of Indian cinema,” thanks to his roles in spy thrillers like Aankhen (1968), Yakeen (1969), and Shalimar (1978).
Beyond action, Dharmendra captivated audiences with his romantic “Loverboy” image. His pairing with the beautiful Hema Malini became iconic in the 1970s, with memorable films such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu, Raja Jaani, and Dream Girl.
Dharmendra also excelled in comedy and emotional drama, with standout performances in Chupke Chupke (1974), Satyakam (1969), and Anupama (1966). Despite his incredible talent and the critical acclaim he received for these roles, he never won a major acting award — yet the love of his fans always brought him joy, and he never complained.
Interestingly, Dharmendra entered Bollywood by winning the Filmfare Talent Hunt competition. However, despite several outstanding performances, he never won a Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He was nominated for Phool Aur Patthar (1967) but returned empty‑handed. He also received nominations for Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and Resham Ki Dori, yet was overlooked each time. Even with the acclaim he earned for Satyakam, Anupama, and Chupke Chupke, where he showcased both emotional depth and impeccable comic timing, awards continued to elude him.
What makes Dharmendra truly stand out is his ability to endure the test of time. In the 1960s, he shone brightly even as the legendary trio of Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Dilip Kumar dominated the industry. In the 1970s, while Rajesh Khanna ruled the box office and Amitabh Bachchan rose to superstardom, Dharmendra maintained his immense popularity.
Thus, Dharmendra will always be remembered — just like the sentiment of his timeless song (with a minor modification):
“Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Hamesha Rahoge…”
About the writer – Mansoor Khan
A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience, Mansoor Khan has built a distinguished career across some of India’s most respected media platforms. Beginning his journey with Screen, a publication of the Indian Express Group in Mumbai, he later contributed to renowned outlets such as Vijay Times, part of the Times of India Group in Bangalore. Over the years, he has also been associated with leading entertainment and news websites including Glamsham.com and Indiaglitz.com. . At 59, he continues to bring depth, clarity, and seasoned insight to every story he tells.
