Dharmendra’s Passing Closes A Landmark Chapter, Leaves Behind Expansive Deol Lineage

India-West News Desk

MUMBAI- Bollywood icon Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89. The actor, who was earlier admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai, was recovering at home but succumbed to his illness and condolences poured in from across the industry. The New York Times too published an obituary on him reflecting the star’s impact on the industry and the Indian movie goer.

His passing marks the end of an era for Bollywood, where he spent more than six decades building one of the industry’s most enduring legacies. Dharmendra leaves behind a multi-generational family deeply embedded in Indian cinema as well as an estimated personal net worth ranging between Rs 335 crore and Rs 450 crore, NDTV estimated. 

Dharmendra was born in Nasrali village in Punjab’s Ludhiana district to schoolteacher Kewal Krishan Singh Deol and Satwant Kaur. In the late 1950s, Filmfare magazine, in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions, organized a nationwide talent contest to find new faces for Hindi cinema.

He entered the competition and was selected as the winner in 1958, chosen for his striking looks and natural charm. This victory opened the door to the film industry for him. Dharmendra quickly rose to fame with his emotional depth, and effortless screen presence. His versatility allowed him to excel in romance, action, and comedy alike. Some of his most iconic films include ‘Phool Aur Patthar’, which established him as a leading man, and ‘Sholay’, where his portrayal of the lovable, witty Veeru became legendary. While ‘Chupke Chupke’ displayed his impeccable comic timing, action-packed dramas like ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ solidified his image as the quintessential Bollywood hero.

 Long before he entered films, he married Prakash Kaur in 1954. The couple went on to raise four children.

Their eldest son, Sunny Deol, who later became an actor, filmmaker and politician, is married to Pooja Deol, and the couple has two sons, Karan and Rajveer. Karan, now married to Drisha Acharya, has already joined the film industry along with his brother Rajveer. 

Dharmendra’s younger son, Bobby Deol, also built a long career in films and is married to interior designer Tanya Ahuja. They have two sons, Aryaman and Dharam. The couple’s daughters, Vijayta and Ajeeta, pursued lives outside the film industry; Vijayta lives a private life with her husband Vivek Gill and their children Prerna and Sahil, while Ajeeta resides in California with her husband, Dr. Kiran Chaudhri, and their daughters, Dr. Nikita Mina and Dr. Prianka Chaudhri.

Dharmendra’s second marriage, in 1980, was to ‘Dream Girl’ Hema Malini, a superstar in her heyday. She is now a BJP MP, film producer and dancer who fill theaters. Their relationship drew widespread public attention because Dharmendra remained legally married to Prakash Kaur, but the marriage endured through decades of scrutiny. Their marriage for a while became a norm, with several other male stars marrying a second time.

They have two daughters. Esha Deol, an actor, was previously married to businessman Bharat Takhtani, and they share two daughters, Radhya and Miraya. 

Ahana Deol, an Odissi dancer and entrepreneur, is married to Vaibhav Vohra, and they have twin daughters Astraia and Adea, and a son, Darien. 

Although Hema Malini and her daughters have long lived separately in Mumbai, Dharmendra maintained cordial ties and participated in key family events across both households. The actor lived at his Khandala farmhouse with his first wife, Prakash Kaur. He had relocated to the town in light of the worsening pollution levels in the city.

The wider Deol family also includes Dharmendra’s younger brother, the late Ajit Singh Deol, who acted in and produced several films. His son, actor Abhay Deol,  has remained close to cousins Sunny and Bobby. 

Dharmendra’s financial footprint reflected his long, disciplined career. According to estimates reported by NDTV and other Indian media outlets, his personal wealth stands between Rs 335 crore and Rs 450 crore. When combined with the earnings and assets of the broader Deol family, the collective fortune is believed to exceed Rs 1,000 crore, making it one of Indian cinema’s most significant dynastic portfolios.

Beyond his cinematic career, Dharmendra’s humility and charisma have made him a cherished figure both on and off screen. Dharmendra was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India. (IANS)