When Bollywood’s He-Man Entered Politics: Dharmendra As Lok Sabha MP
Bollywood has lost one of its most celebrated legends, Dharmendra, the iconic ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema who passed away at 89 at his Mumbai home, just weeks before his 90th birthday. The news of Dharmendra’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as an “iconic film personality” whose demise “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
The Prime Minister wrote on X, “He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played… Dharmendraji was equally admired for his simplicity, humility and warmth.”
Dharmendra died 12 days after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted due to breathlessness and placed on life support. He was eventually shifted home for treatment. A Padma Bhushan awardee, he leaves behind his wife Hema Malini, BJP’s three-time Lok Sabha MP from Mathura, and six children, including actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Esha Deol.
The Superstar Who Struggled in Politics
While Dharmendra’s fame rested firmly on his legendary acting career, he also took a brief leap into political life. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and contested from Rajasthan’s Bikaner Lok Sabha seat. Banking on his mass popularity, the BJP fielded him against Congress candidate Chaudhary Lal Dudi. Supported by star-studded campaigning and senior party leaders like LK Advani, Dharmendra won by nearly 60,000 votes, boosting the BJP’s presence with his star power.
However, the win did not translate into political success. Dharmendra’s tenure as a Lok Sabha MP was riddled with controversies surrounding poor parliamentary attendance and recurring filming commitments that clashed with House sessions. His comment during the election campaign that he wanted to be a “dictator to teach basic etiquette” also sparked criticism.
His public role gradually faded, and by the end of his term, Dharmendra made it clear he would never return to politics. Sunny Deol later revealed that his father “didn’t like politics and regretted joining it.”
A Family Deeply Entwined With Politics
Despite Dharmendra’s exit, politics remained in the Deol family. Hema Malini continued her successful political career, while Sunny Deol entered politics in 2019, winning from Gurdaspur as a BJP candidate. But like his father, Sunny’s parliamentary performance also came under question, with attendance reportedly as low as 18 per cent at one point.
A Star Forever, a Politician Reluctantly
Dharmendra’s short political career was a stark contrast to his larger-than-life cinematic journey. While he remained a superstar on screen, off it, his heart never aligned with the rough landscape of politics. Yet, his legacy as a beloved actor, one of India’s most handsome stars, a Padma Bhushan awardee, and a national icon will forever outshine his brief stint in public office.
The Prime Minister wrote on X, “He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played… Dharmendraji was equally admired for his simplicity, humility and warmth.”
Dharmendra died 12 days after being discharged from Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted due to breathlessness and placed on life support. He was eventually shifted home for treatment. A Padma Bhushan awardee, he leaves behind his wife Hema Malini, BJP’s three-time Lok Sabha MP from Mathura, and six children, including actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Esha Deol.
The Superstar Who Struggled in Politics
While Dharmendra’s fame rested firmly on his legendary acting career, he also took a brief leap into political life. In 2004, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and contested from Rajasthan’s Bikaner Lok Sabha seat. Banking on his mass popularity, the BJP fielded him against Congress candidate Chaudhary Lal Dudi. Supported by star-studded campaigning and senior party leaders like LK Advani, Dharmendra won by nearly 60,000 votes, boosting the BJP’s presence with his star power.
However, the win did not translate into political success. Dharmendra’s tenure as a Lok Sabha MP was riddled with controversies surrounding poor parliamentary attendance and recurring filming commitments that clashed with House sessions. His comment during the election campaign that he wanted to be a “dictator to teach basic etiquette” also sparked criticism.
His public role gradually faded, and by the end of his term, Dharmendra made it clear he would never return to politics. Sunny Deol later revealed that his father “didn’t like politics and regretted joining it.”
A Family Deeply Entwined With Politics
Despite Dharmendra’s exit, politics remained in the Deol family. Hema Malini continued her successful political career, while Sunny Deol entered politics in 2019, winning from Gurdaspur as a BJP candidate. But like his father, Sunny’s parliamentary performance also came under question, with attendance reportedly as low as 18 per cent at one point.
A Star Forever, a Politician Reluctantly
Dharmendra’s short political career was a stark contrast to his larger-than-life cinematic journey. While he remained a superstar on screen, off it, his heart never aligned with the rough landscape of politics. Yet, his legacy as a beloved actor, one of India’s most handsome stars, a Padma Bhushan awardee, and a national icon will forever outshine his brief stint in public office.
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