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From drama and action to romance and comedy, Dharmendra was a man for all seasons

Over his six-decade-long career, Dharmendra acted in over 300 films. Here is a list of films that cemented his place as one Indian cinema's most versatile actors

Written by: Anusree KC

3 min readNov 29, 2025 03:55 PM IST

Actor Dharmendra. (Photo: Express Archive)

Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960): In his debut movie, Dharmendra plays a boxer nursing a broken heart

Anupama (1966): As a sensitive writer, Dharmendra gently empowers Uma (Sharmila Tagore) to break free from a negligent father in this Hrishikesh Mukherjee film

Phool Aur Patthar (1966): Considered to be his breakthrough film, this had the actor as a thief who softens under the influence of a widow (Meena Kumari ). This redefined how masculinity is shown onscreen

Dharmendra in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960). (Photo: Express Archives)

Satyakam (1969): Dharmendra’s portrayal of Satyapriya, an idealist whose ethical ideas eventually destroy him emotionally, remains one of his career-best performances

Naya Zamana (1971): This social drama saw Dharmendra play a writer fighting for justice in a corrupt world. The audience saw in him the everyman hero who is willing to stand up for what’s right

Dharmendra with Sharmila Tagore in a still from Satyakam (1969). (Photo: Express Archives)

Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971): In this precursor to Sholay-style dacoit drama, Dharmendra’s rugged heroism matched Vinod Khanna’s menacing villainy

Seeta Aur Geeta (1972): As the lovable romantic lead opposite Hema Malini’s double role, the actor showcased his more playful side and comic timing

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Dharmendra with Hema Malini and Sanjeev Kumar in Seeta aur Geeta (1972). (Photo: Express Archives)

Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973): In this drama about three brothers, who are separated in childhood after witnessing their parents’ murder, Dharmendra plays the eldest brother. He grows up with that trauma and his life is driven by a single purpose — to find his brothers and bring the killer
to justice

Chupke Chupke (1975): Dharmendra plays Professor Parimal Tripathi, a witty, mischievous botany professor who takes on a light-hearted challenge: to prank his wife’s brother-in-law. Masquerading as a driver, he delivers one of his most delightful and watchable performances

Sholay (1975): Before this, Dharmendra was already known as a romantic hero and an action star but his portrayal of Veeru cemented his image as a versatile performer

A still from in Sholay (1975). (Photo: Express Archive)

Pratigya (1975): Dharmendra plays a truck driver, who discovers his parents were murdered by a bandit and vows revenge, eventually impersonating a police officer to fight the dacoit. Its song Main Jat yamla pagla deewana helped shape his enduring public image

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Ghulami (1985): As the rebellious farmer leading an uprising against feudal oppression, he delivered one of his power performances in JP Dutta’s socio-political drama