For most young generation, Dharmendra is limited to only Sholy, but for film enthusiasts, Dharmendra’s movies beyond Sholay, Dharmendra exists mainly as Veeru – the charming, risk-loving half of one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic duos. Sholay is the reference point, the meme material, the movie your parents made you watch because “yeh picture miss nahi karte.”
But Dharmendra was so much more than Veeru. He wasn’t just a star; he was an era of Hindi cinema wrapped in warmth, goodness, and undeniable screen presence. And if Sholay is all you’ve seen, you’ve only scratched the surface.
Here’s a guide to Dharmendra you might not know – the performer whose gentleness defined Indian cinema, the actor whose craft deserves rediscovery, and the man we remember today as The Last of the Gentle Giants.
Anupama (1966) – The Dharmendra Who Spoke Soft but Left a Mark
Before the action hero, before the comedy icon, Dharmendra was a gentle romantic lead with eyes full of empathy. Anupama showcases him as a poet-sensitive, grounded, and quietly impactful. There’s a stillness in his performance that feels almost rare in today’s cinema: a romantic hero who doesn’t shout to be heard.
If you want to meet the Dharmendra your grandparents adored, begin here.
Satyakam (1969) – Dharmendra at His Absolute Best
Ask any film historian or purist: Satyakam is the crown jewel of Dharmendra’s filmography. In this masterpiece by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, he plays the role of an idealistic man who struggles to hold onto honesty in a world that continuously challenges it. The role demanded depth, conflict, and fragility-and Dharmendra gave a career-defining performance.
If you’ve ever wondered whether Dharmendra could “act” beyond charm and swagger, this film provides the answer with a resounding yes.
This is where one truly understands why he is remembered as a gentle giant: powerful but never forceful.
Chupke Chupke (1975) – Comedy So Effortless, It Feels Like Magic
To Gen Z, who is used to loud, slapstick, or meme-style comedy, Chupke Chupke feels like a warm blanket. Dharmendra is pure delight – charming, mischievous, flawlessly timed in every scene. His chemistry with Sharmila Tagore and the comic sparring with Amitabh Bachchan are iconic.
This is Dharmendra at his most playful. Watch it when you need reminding that comedy doesn’t need noise; it needs timing, sincerity, and heart.
Bandini (1963) – A Supporting Role That Proved His Range Early On
Often overshadowed by Nutan’s brilliance, Bandini still carries an important early glimpse of Dharmendra. He plays the role of a doctor who is steady, compassionate, and morally anchored, and given the limited screen time, he stands out. It is a performance that hinted at the very qualities that would later make him beloved: warmth, dignity, and understated strength.
All in all, this film is a great opportunity to trace the evolution of an actor.
Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) – The Cool, Stylish Dharmendra People Forget
Everyone remembers the songs, the camp, the masala energy but Dharmendra’s presence in Yaadon Ki Baaraat is pure retro cool. It’s a reminder that before the category “mass hero” existed, Dharmendra made it look effortless.
He was stylish without trying, dramatic without exaggeration, and somehow both larger-than-life and relatable. For anyone who loves Bollywood’s pulpy, colourful iconic era of the 70s, this is essential.
Why This List Matters Today
Dharmendra has appeared in over 300 films, but these five titles somehow capture something of his essence: his range, his restraint and remarkable ability to be many things without ever losing his gentleness.
He could be:
- the intense idealist (Satyakam)
- the soft romantic (Anupama)
- the comic genius (Chupke Chupke)
- the dignified moral anchor (Bandini)
- the stylish star (Yaadon Ki Baaraat)
And, of course, Veeru — the role that made him timeless.
But the Dharmendra worth discovering today is the one who worked quietly, gracefully, and with a sincerity that’s becoming rare in modern cinema.
For the younger set of movie audiences, Dharmendra might be a name from a faraway history of cinema. But give these films a chance, and you’ll see why generations before you held him so close. He wasn’t just a hero, but the kind of presence that made cinema feel warm, emotional, and familiar. If Sholay was your introduction, let these films be your doorway deeper into his world. A world where the hero didn’t need to shout, romance wasn’t needed with all the usual clichés, and the gentleness wasn’t an aesthetic-it was him.