Behind the glitz of fame and applause of millions, Dharmendra’s life tells a story far more layered than any of his films. The man who once charmed generations with his smile and screen presence has lived a journey marked by deep love, complex relationships and remarkable endurance. His real life, much like the characters he played, has been full of emotion, passion and quiet strength.
Dharmendra arrived in Mumbai from Punjab as a young, married man, filled with dreams of becoming a movie star. Success came quickly but so did change. His wife Prakash Kaur who had lived a simple, traditional life suddenly found herself adapting to the glamour and unpredictability that came with her husband’s rising stardom.
In 1970, while shooting Tum Haseen Main Jawaan, Dharmendra met actress Hema Malini. Their chemistry soon blossomed into a real-life romance that captured the nation’s attention. Despite resistance from Hema’s family, the two married in 1980, creating one of Bollywood’s most talked-about relationships. Yet, this union also brought challenges. Dharmendra continued to live with Prakash Kaur and their four children — Sunny, Bobby, Ajeeta and Vijeta, while Hema chose to maintain a separate home.
Over the years, both the families have coexisted with dignity and respect. Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol once revealed that she met Prakash Kaur only when she turned thirty, reflecting the distance between the two households, one rooted in quiet acceptance rather than bitterness.
Recently, Bobby Deol opened up about his parents’ current life together, dispelling rumours that his father lives alone. He shared that Dharmendra and Prakash still stay together at their farmhouse in Khandala, where they enjoy a peaceful and content life. Bobby explained that his father’s emotional social media posts are often misunderstood as Dharmendra is naturally expressive and wears his heart on his sleeve. He described how his parents love the calm of the farmhouse, which his father has turned into a little paradise for them both.
Speaking about his mother, Bobby expressed deep admiration, calling her the strongest woman he has ever known. Having grown up in a small village, Prakash had to adjust to city life and the pressures of being a superstar’s wife — a journey Bobby believes required immense strength. He credited her quiet resilience and unconditional support as key reasons behind his father’s enduring success.
Dharmendra and Prakash Kaur married in 1954, when he was just nineteen. Seven decades later, their bond remains strong. Bobby recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary by sharing a rare, heartfelt photo of the couple — a glimpse of love that has endured through time, fame and complexity.
Hema Malini, on the other hand, has always spoken gracefully about her unconventional marriage. She once said that living separately “just happened” and wasn’t a choice she planned but she has found peace and happiness raising her two daughters on her own terms.
Even Prakash Kaur once defended her husband publicly, saying that while he might not be the perfect husband, he is a wonderful father who has never neglected his children. Her words reflected honesty, love and remarkable understanding.
Dharmendra’s life continues to be one of Bollywood’s most compelling personal stories — not for its glamour but for its humanity. It’s a tale of imperfect love that has survived the odds, held together by strength, grace and a quiet acceptance that love, in all its forms, is never simple but always enduring.
