Dharmendra was born on 8 December 1935 in Nasrali village in Ludhiana district of Punjab to mother Satwant Kaur and father Kewal Kishan Singh Deol. He was one of six children. He was later described as the most handsome actor, but his mother would often tease him that his elder brother was more handsome than him. His father, a strict headmaster, insisted on discipline; Childhood stories reflect Dharmendra’s obedient and mischievous nature. Early experiences were also full of kindness, such as saving a calf, which shows his sensitive nature. Tragic events in the family, such as his elder sister’s demise from typhoid, left a deep impact on his life. Inspired by Dilip Kumar, he dreamed of becoming an actor. In 1958, he got his first opportunity through a filmfare advertisement; A local photographer helped him send his photos to Mumbai. Initially he was worried and nervous, but eventually went to Mumbai and debuted with ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ in 1960. He later became a great actor, acting in more than 300 films, and was known for his charm, versatility and film dedication.

