Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol (ধর্মেন্দ্র), known mononymously as Dharmendra, was an Indian actor, producer, and politician, primarily known for his work in Hindi films. Dharmendra was widely considered one of the greatest, most handsome and commercially successful film stars in the history of Indian cinema. In a career spanning 65 years, he worked in over 300 films, holding the record for starring in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema.

Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He first gained popularity in the mid-1960s for films, such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar and Aaye Din Bahar Ke, and achieved greater stardom in later years, being dubbed India's "He-Man" for several of his on-screen roles in Hindi films. He consistently starred in several successful Hindi films from the late-1960s to the 1980s, such as Ankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dost, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung and Tahalka, as well as some of his acclaimed performances, include Anpadh, Bandini, Haqeeqat, Anupama, Mamta, Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Naya Zamana, Samadhi, Resham Ki Dori, Chupke Chupke, Dillagi, The Burning Train, Ghazab, Do Dishayen and Hathyar.

Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol was born in Nasrali, a village in Ludhiana district, Punjab, British India on 8 December 1935. He was the son of Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur, and was born into a Punjabi Jat family. His ancestral village is Dangon, near Pakhowal Tehsil Raikot, Ludhiana.

He spent his early life in the village of Sahnewal and studied at Government Senior Secondary School at Lalton Kalan, Ludhiana, where his father was the village school headmaster. He did his matriculation in Phagwara in 1952. In those days, schools of Punjab came under Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954, before he entered the film industry. The couple became parents to two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, both successful film actors; and two daughters, Vijeta (born in 1962) and Ajeeta (born in 1966).

After moving to Bombay and entering films, Dharmendra married Hema Malini, which caused controversy at the time since he was already married. Rumours began to circulate about Dharmendra and Hema Malini converting to Islam for this wedding. In 2004, during a political campaign, when the rumours began to circulate again, Dharmendra asserted that he remained a Hindu, the family being Arya Samaji. He and Malini starred together in a number of movies in the early 1970s, including Sholay. The couple had two daughters, Esha Deol (an actress, born in 1981) and Ahana Deol (an assistant director, born in 1985). His grandson, Bobby Deol's son, is also named "Dharam", after him.

Between 2015 and 2020, Dharmendra had multiple health issues, including back pain, muscle strain, and weakness, which occasionally required hospitalisation. In 2025, Dharmendra underwent a corneal transplant surgery after the cornea of his left eye was damaged.

He had also been hospitalised on 31 October 2025 at the Breach Candy Hospital due to breathing difficulties. As reported by journalist Vicky Lalvani, he was admitted to the ICU for observation and was discharged within a few hours once all his vital parameters stabilised.

On 10 November 2025, Dharmendra was again admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after complaining of respiratory issues. His second wife, Hema Malini, shared on social media that he was under continuous medical supervision. According to reports, he was placed on ventilator support as his condition became critical. Several actors, politicians, and fans across the country expressed their concern and prayed for his speedy recovery.

On the morning of 11 November 2025, rumours began circulating on social media and several news channels claiming that Dharmendra had died. The reports spread rapidly, with many media outlets broadcasting the unverified news. His death rumours flooded the internet after the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar even mourned his death in a post. Later, Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol dismissed the rumours through their social media accounts, confirming that Dharmendra was alive and in stable condition. They condemned the spread of such false information, calling it completely unacceptable and irresponsible.