‘We need a hero, not a hockey player’: When Dharmendra was told he did not look like a hero, was rejected by producer who cast his son

Actor Dharmendra was rejected by a producer on the basis of his looks back in the 1960s.

Dharmendra passed away at 89 in Mumbai. (Photo: Express Archives)

Back in the day, Dharmendra was often called the most handsome actor in Hindi cinema and even though his charming looks and personality were enough to mesmerise the audience, many filmmakers of the era refused to cast him in their films. In fact, when he was still waiting for his big break in the movies, Dharmendra was told that his looks were not hero-like and that he looked like a “hockey player”. Dharmendra spoke about the same during an earlier appearance on Aap Ki Adalat when he was asked about early rejections in Bollywood.

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Dharmendra moved to Mumbai after winning a 1958 talent contest organised by a film magazine but the debut that was planned for the contest winners fell through. The actor then started trying to make it in the movies and met with many filmmakers. However, one filmmaker tried to crush his spirit by telling him that he didn’t look like a hero. Dharmendra recalled that at this time, he had already signed Bandini, which eventually released in 1963, but the film wasn’t on the floors yet, and so, he had no way of earning money.

He shared, “I was signed for Bandini, but Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt always took time to make film. In a city like Mumbai, coming from a middle-class background, how do you manage? Later, I was called for a screen test for Love in Shimla. They looked at me and said, ‘We need a hero, not a hockey player.’” Love in Shimla released in 1960 and starred Joy Mukerjee and Sadhana. The film was directed by RK Nayyar, and produced by the lead actor’s father, Sashadhar Mukherjee.

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Dharmendra further shared that while this broke his heart, he continued to work hard and made it in the movies. “I kept my self-respect. Work is worship. I thought only about work.”

Dharmendra continued to work until the end. In the last few years, he appeared in films like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. He will soon be seen in Sriram Raghavan’s film Ikkis.

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Dharmendra passed away at age 89 in Mumbai on Monday, November 24. The actor is survived by his six children – Sunny, Bobby, Ajeeta, Vijayta, Esha and Ahana, and his two wives – Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini.

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