Dharmender – the dynamic star of bollywood.
Dharmender is one of the dynamic stars of bollywood who maintained a steady box office for over 40 years. Viewers of different age-groups have enjoyed his performance in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He is better known for action films, but he had acted in different types of films in his illustrious career.
Initially he had played roles of anti-hero in films like Ai Milan Ki Bela, along with Rajender Kumar, Saira Banu, and other roles in Kajal along with Raj Kumar, but showed his individual capability in OP Ralhan’s Phool Aur Patthar, opposite Meena Kumari. In those days viewers appreciated romantic films more than action films. Dharmender had acted in a number of those films which are known for outstanding music.
For example his film Mere Humdum Mere Dost, opposite Sharmila Tagore, LP’s music and Rafi’s songs “na ja kabhi ab na ja”, “hui shaam unka” were super duper hits. Similarly his Pyar hi pyar, opposite Vaijayantimala, had hit songs like “dekha hai teri ankhon me”, “mai kahin kavi na banjayu” composed by Shankar Jaikishan and sung by Rafi had been successful. At the same time he acted in films directed by Hrishijkesh Mukherjee like Satyakam, Giddi, Chupke chupke, where the characters were given adequate expression.
In Satyakam, he passed out as an engineer, and discovered the corruption in society. He was well supported by Sanjeev Kumar. In Guddi, he convinced a little girl played by Jaya Bacchan, who was his admirer, that whatever is shown in films are larger than life image, which has hardly any similarity with the reality. The film also showed the contribution of technical persons in the studios like cameraman, makeupman, costume-designer, dialogue-writer, etc., who are less known to the public, and the actors can accomplish their tasks due to their efforts. Chupke Chupke is a comedy film which shows the wit related to impersonation of a botanist to play the character of a driver of a lawyer.
At the same time Dharmender had acted in action films like Jugnu, Charas, Sholay, where his angry young man image had been accepted by the audience. He had raised his voice against the corrupt practices existing in the society, and he had been kind towards the gentle persons and harsh towards the criminals. In Sholay, his performance opposite Big B had entertained the crowd with the comedy scenes which were required to balance the tragic and action sequences. His performance opposite Hema Malini in films like Kinara, Jugnu, Seeta aur Geeta, is worth mentioning. He was an indispensable star, and bollywood depended on his sheer brilliance for more than 30 years. Modern actors have a lot to learn from the legendary hero.
Initially he had played roles of anti-hero in films like Ai Milan Ki Bela, along with Rajender Kumar, Saira Banu, and other roles in Kajal along with Raj Kumar, but showed his individual capability in OP Ralhan’s Phool Aur Patthar, opposite Meena Kumari. In those days viewers appreciated romantic films more than action films. Dharmender had acted in a number of those films which are known for outstanding music.
For example his film Mere Humdum Mere Dost, opposite Sharmila Tagore, LP’s music and Rafi’s songs “na ja kabhi ab na ja”, “hui shaam unka” were super duper hits. Similarly his Pyar hi pyar, opposite Vaijayantimala, had hit songs like “dekha hai teri ankhon me”, “mai kahin kavi na banjayu” composed by Shankar Jaikishan and sung by Rafi had been successful. At the same time he acted in films directed by Hrishijkesh Mukherjee like Satyakam, Giddi, Chupke chupke, where the characters were given adequate expression.
In Satyakam, he passed out as an engineer, and discovered the corruption in society. He was well supported by Sanjeev Kumar. In Guddi, he convinced a little girl played by Jaya Bacchan, who was his admirer, that whatever is shown in films are larger than life image, which has hardly any similarity with the reality. The film also showed the contribution of technical persons in the studios like cameraman, makeupman, costume-designer, dialogue-writer, etc., who are less known to the public, and the actors can accomplish their tasks due to their efforts. Chupke Chupke is a comedy film which shows the wit related to impersonation of a botanist to play the character of a driver of a lawyer.
At the same time Dharmender had acted in action films like Jugnu, Charas, Sholay, where his angry young man image had been accepted by the audience. He had raised his voice against the corrupt practices existing in the society, and he had been kind towards the gentle persons and harsh towards the criminals. In Sholay, his performance opposite Big B had entertained the crowd with the comedy scenes which were required to balance the tragic and action sequences. His performance opposite Hema Malini in films like Kinara, Jugnu, Seeta aur Geeta, is worth mentioning. He was an indispensable star, and bollywood depended on his sheer brilliance for more than 30 years. Modern actors have a lot to learn from the legendary hero.
Article By: Supriya Chatterji.
