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Meet actor who delivered 7 blockbusters in 1987 alone, redefined stardom, and left Box Office shaken, his name is..., films are...

Meet actor who delivered 7 blockbusters in 1987 alone, redefined stardom, and left Box Office shaken, his name is..., films are...

India.com15-07-2025
In an industry where stars flicker and fade faster than weekend collections, Dharmendra is a rare supernova, still glowing, still rising, even at 89. But long before he was Bollywood's charming granddad, he was a one-man action storm in the '80s. And in 1987, he didn't just show up — he took over. Who is Bollywood's original action hero?
Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab, Dharmendra started his journey in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. What followed was a career that would go on to define masculinity in Indian cinema, rugged, romantic, and real. He carved a niche that balanced power with poetry. His voice? Thunder. His dialogue delivery? Iconic. His onscreen presence? Unmistakable. What made 1987 a record-breaking Year for Dharmendra?
In a time before streaming and social media, Dharmendra was the original content machine. In 1987 alone, he starred in 12 films, a feat in itself, seven of which became box office hits. From Loha to Dada Giri, and from Hukumat to Mard Ki Zabaan, he was the face of mass entertainment, releasing more blockbusters in a year than most actors manage in a decade. These were the films
The seven films from that legendary year that struck gold are Loha, Dada Giri, Hukumat, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Insaniyat Ke Devta, Jan Hatheli Pe and Mard Ki Zabaan.
Each one is packed with powerful dialogues, flying punches, and Dharmendra's magnetic screen energy, all of which still draw millions of YouTube views today. He is still active in cinema
Absolutely. In 2023, he was seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani as a suave, poetry-loving grandfather. In 2024, he played a lovable Daadu in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Even today, he charms across generations, proving that legacy isn't built on fame alone, but consistency and soul. Dharmendra's film career
With nearly 300 films under his belt, Dharmendra has done everything, from slapstick (Chupke Chupke) to spine-chilling (Sholay), from folklore (Ali Baba 40 Chor) to feel-good family dramas (Yamla Pagla Deewana). He's acted alongside his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, built a dynasty, and yet, he remains humble — a star who never needed to shout to shine.
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It's true that Hindi cinema currently showcases only a handful of quality films, but there was an era when it produced numerous hits and cult classics. Today, we want to take you back to a Bollywood film that pioneered the trend of multi-starrer productions in Hindi cinema. Moreover, the film's success can be attributed to its compelling narrative, outstanding performances, and enchanting music. It received immense praise from both audiences and critics alike and if a rising star had signed that film, then his career would've been on the other dimension. Which film is this? The film we are talking about is 'Waqt', released in 1965, which was a huge success at the box office and was declared an all-time blockbuster. Directed by legendary director Late Yash Chopra, the film had a budget of Rs 70 lakh, but it earned Rs 6 crore at the box office, which was a huge record at that time. The film was one of the highest-grossing films of its time. What was the storyline? Waqt was a family drama starring big stars like Late Raaj Kumar, Late Sunil Dutt, Late Shashi Kapoor, Sadhana and Sharmila Tagore. The story revolves around a business family that is torn apart by an earthquake. The story beautifully portrays emotions, relationships and the importance of time. The songs of the film, such as 'Aye meri zohra jabeen' and 'Aage bhi jaane na tu', are still etched in people's hearts. The duo of music director Ravi and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi created magic in it. Why Dharmendra rejected Waqt? Before Raaj Kumar, Dharmendra was the first choice of the makers for the film Waqt, but Dharmendra refused to play the role of the elder brother in the film. Due to this the makers proceeded further while casting Raaj Kumar with other ensemble actors while making it a first multi-starrer film in the history of Indian Cinema. On the other hand, Dharmendra lost the opportunity and after 10 years with Sholay he became an overnight superstar. More about Waqt Waqt also received many awards, including Best Supporting Actor and Best Story at the Filmfare Awards. This film won 6 awards at Filmfare. This film is still a great example of classic cinema and is loved by audiences of every generation. This film brought acclaim to Raaj Kumar, who turned into a star with this film after many years of doing second leads. Similarly, Yash Chopra proved his capabilities as a director with the huge box office success of Waqt and went on to become one of the greatest Indian filmmakers of all time.

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