By Milind Dharmasena
Mumbai | November 24
The passing of Dharmendra is not just the loss of a great actor — it is the departure of a man whose life was as extraordinary off-screen as it was on it. Beyond the fame and cinematic glory, Dharmendra’s journey was shaped by deep love for family, profound humility, and a quiet return to his roots as a farmer in his later years.
A Man of Great Love and Great Simplicity
Born as Dharam Singh Deol in Punjab, he carried the fragrance of the soil throughout his life. Even after becoming one of India’s biggest superstars, he never lost the boyish innocence and shy charm that made him so deeply beloved.
Dharmendra was a devoted family man — protective, affectionate, and emotional. His relationships with his children were warm and intense. Sunny and Bobby Deol often spoke of how their father taught them not just acting, but grace, humanity, and perseverance. His daughters from his first marriage shared that he was a father who never allowed fame to overshadow tenderness.
Despite being one of Bollywood’s most handsome leading men, Dharmendra’s heart remained gentle. The love story between him and Hema Malini became iconic, yet he always carried it with dignity, respect, and maturity — a relationship that became a symbol of timeless affection in Indian cinema.
Rare Anecdotes: The Man Behind the Star
Over the decades, people who worked with him shared stories that reveal the depth of his heart.
One of the most touching anecdotes comes from the sets of Sholay. During a break in shooting, villagers gathered to catch a glimpse of the stars. Dharmendra noticed a poor farmer hesitating to approach. He walked to him, shook his hand, and sat on the ground beside him, speaking in Punjabi. The man later said he couldn’t believe that a superstar sat “like a son of the soil” with him.
Another memorable incident occurred during the filming of Satyakam. The emotionally demanding role left Dharmendra in tears even after the director called “cut.” His co-actors recalled how he stayed distraught for hours — showing how deeply he felt the truth and morality of the character.
There were also moments of spontaneous humour. In one film, as a newcomer struggled with lines, Dharmendra lightened the moment by purposely fumbling his own cues to make the young actor feel comfortable. That was Dharam Ji — a giant who held others up.
The Farmer in His Final Years: A Return to His Roots
In the last two decades of his life, acting took a backseat as Dharmendra returned to what he always called his “first love” — farming.
At his farmhouse on the outskirts of Mumbai, he spent long hours tending to vegetables, fruit orchards, and cattle. He often said that working in the mud healed him more than any medicine. The man who once commanded massive film sets now found peace in watering plants at dawn, feeding cows, and walking barefoot on the earth.
Visitors often found him wearing a simple kurta, sitting under a tree, or showing off a new crop he had planted. He proudly shared videos of his homegrown bottle gourds, chillies, and sugarcane — speaking to fans with the excitement of a child who had discovered a new plaything.
He believed farming kept him grounded. It reminded him of his father’s teachings and the village life he grew up with. In many ways, he lived his final years the same way he began his life — close to nature, close to the soil, and close to himself.
A Gentle Soul, A Towering Legacy
Dharmendra’s life was a novel — filled with love, struggle, triumph, humility, and artistry. On screen he was heroic, but in real life he was human in the most beautiful sense.
Today, as India mourns him, we celebrate the man who gave us unforgettable characters, who loved fiercely, who lived honestly, and who found peace not in glamour but in the quiet hum of the land he nurtured.
He leaves behind a legacy that will echo through generations:
A superstar whose stardom never overshadowed his humanity.
A romantic hero whose love transcended the screen.
A farmer whose hands, even in old age, bloomed with life.
Rest in peace, Dharam Ji.
You lived like a lion, loved like a poet, and walked like a man of the soil.
Your story will forever remain etched in the heart of India.
