Dharmendra, also known as the 'Action King'of Bollywood turns 86 today . With more than 60 years of association withBollywood, He has given some of the most magnificent movies to the filmindustry.
He is known for his role in films likeSholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Yaadon Ki Baarat etc. In the year 1997, Dharmendrawas awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution toHindi cinema.
Today on his birthday, let us know someinteresting less-known facts about the legendary actor.
· DirectorArjun Hingorani introduced Dharmendra Ji into Bollywood with a movie titled DilBhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. Since then, the two had been close friends until theformer died.
· Dharmendraand one of his favourite co-stars Sharmila Tagore share the same birthday. Theyhave worked together in innumerable films including the three HrishikeshMukherjee classics Anupama, Satyakam, and Chupke Chupke.
· Itwas in the 70s that Dharmendra fell for Hema Malini. He married, Hema Maliniafter converting to Islam so that he could stay married to his previous wifetoo.
· Dharmendrahas played the romantic hero to many leading ladies of Bollywood includingMeena Kumari, Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Asha Parekh and Zeenat Aman.But his pairing with Hema Malini is regarded as his best.
· He is most noted for his role of Veeru, in Sholay. In British Film Institute's2002 poll, Sholay was ranked first in the list of 'Top 10 Indian Films'
· Dharmendrais one of Bollywood’s most versatile adventurous and underrated actors. Healways dreamt of becoming an actor and it was his mother with whom he sharedhis fascination.
· In1997, he was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for hiscontribution to Hindi cinema. In 2004, Dharmendra was honoured for BestContribution to Indian Cinema. Also, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushanaward in 2012.