Bollywood Film Families: Dharmendra to Sunny, 60 years of the Deol dynasty

Updated On: 27 January, 2024 11:37 AM IST | Tuhina Upadhyay

Bollywood Film Families: Hailing from a quaint Punjab village, Dharmendra ascended to the pinnacle of stardom during the 1970s in Hindi cinema. Fondly referred to as the `He-Man` of Indian cinema, Dharmendra was celebrated for his dashing visage and rugged charisma, a precursor to the `macho man` phenomenon in Bollywood. His on-screen collaboration with Hema Malini resulted in a string of blockbuster hits and eventually blossomed into a real-life union, uniting two of Hindi cinema`s most cherished icons. Meanwhile, in the family`s cinematic lineage, Dharmendra`s elder son, Sunny Deol, carved a niche for himself as a prominent action star during the 1980s, while his younger son, Bobby Deol, captured the hearts of audiences in the 1990s with his striking good looks.

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Bollywood Film Families: Hailing from a quaint Punjab village, Dharmendra ascended to the pinnacle of stardom during the 1970s in Hindi cinema. Fondly referred to as the `He-Man` of Indian cinema, Dharmendra was celebrated for his dashing visage and rugged charisma, a precursor to the `macho man` phenomenon in Bollywood. His on-screen collaboration with Hema Malini resulted in a string of blockbuster hits and eventually blossomed into a real-life union, uniting two of Hindi cinema`s most cherished icons. Meanwhile, in the family`s cinematic lineage, Dharmendra`s elder son, Sunny Deol, carved a niche for himself as a prominent action star during the 1980s, while his younger son, Bobby Deol, captured the hearts of audiences in the 1990s with his striking good looks.

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1st GenerationDharmendra: The charismatic actor made his silver screen debut in 1960 with "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere." His career soared with iconic films like "Bandini," "Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi," "Ayee Milan Ki Bela," and "Phool Aur Patthar." Dharmendra`s magnetic partnership with Meena Kumari graced seven films, but it was his pairing with Hema Malini that left a lasting mark. Together, they enchanted audiences in classics like "Seeta Aur Geeta," "Sholay," and "Raja Jani." His versatility as both a romantic and action hero solidified his status in Bollywood.

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Dharmendra`s personal life was equally eventful. He had two sons, Sunny and Bobby, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta, from his first marriage to Parkash Kaur. His nephew Abhay Deol also followed in his footsteps. Notably, Dharmendra played a pivotal role in launching Sunny, Bobby, and Abhay`s careers in the film industry, ensuring the Deol legacy continued to shine brightly.

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Dharmendra later married Hema Malini. She was Introduced as the "Dream Girl" opposite Raj Kapoor in "Sapno Ka Saudagar," Hema Malini lived up to this title throughout her illustrious career. From starring alongside legends like Dev Anand to Amitabh Bachchan, Hema became one of Hindi cinema`s most successful actresses. Memorable roles in "Johnny Mera Naam," "Andaz," and "Lal Patthar" cemented her as a leading lady. She continued to grace the silver screen in the `80s with films like "Kranti," "Naseeb," and "Satte Pe Satta." Even after embracing motherhood, Hema took on heroine-centric roles and later ventured into filmmaking.

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Hema is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and performs with her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, who are trained Odissi dancers. Madhoo Raghunath, who played the female lead in Phool Aur Kaante, Roja and Annayya, is Malini’s niece.

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2nd GenerationSunny Deol: Sunny`s debut film "Betaab" opposite Amrita Singh was a resounding success, setting the stage for a career full of hits in the `80s and `90s. His breakthrough performance in "Ghayal" earned him accolades. Memorable roles in "ChaalBaaz," "Arjun," and "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" solidified his status as an action hero. In a heartwarming turn of events, Sunny acted alongside his father Dharmendra and brother Bobby Deol for the first time in "Apne" (2007).

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Sunny is a family man, married to Pooja Deol, and they have two sons, Karan and Rajveer. 

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Bobby Deol: Known for his charming looks and catchy tunes from his films, Bobby Deol gained fame with movies like "Barsaat," "Soldier," and "Kareeb." He starred in several commercially successful films in the late `90s and early 2000s.

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 Although his career saw a decline in the 2000s, Bobby has made a comeback with ensemble films and OTT projects. He`s a devoted family man, married to Tania Deol, and they have two sons, Aryaman and Dharam.  

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Abhay Deol: Abhay took a different path, focusing on complex characters and independent films. His debut in "Socha Na Tha" (2005) garnered a dedicated fan base. Notable films like "Manorama Six Feet Under," "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!," and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" showcased his talent. However, it was Anurag Kashyap`s "Dev.D" that brought him immense success.

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Esha Deol: Esha made her debut in "Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe" (2002) and became the original "Dhoom girl." She`s also a trained Odissi dancer who often performs alongside her mother.

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Esha Deol, the talented Bollywood actress and daughter of the legendary Dharmendra and Hema Malini, embarked on a new chapter in her life with her marriage to Bharat Takhtani. The couple tied the knot on June 29, 2012, in a lavish and star-studded ceremony that captured the attention of the media and fans alike.

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Ahana Deol, the scion of Bollywood royalty, has emerged as a multifaceted talent to watch. With a lineage that boasts legends like Dharmendra and Hema Malini, Ahana Deol was born on July 28, 1985, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She is an actress, known for Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002). She has been married to Vaibhav Vohra since February 2, 2014.

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3rd GenerationKaran Deol: Sunny`s elder son stepped into Bollywood with "Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas" in 2019. He married his sweetheart, Drisha Acharya on June 20, 2023

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Karan Deol and his long-time girlfriend Drisha Acharya, Karan affectionately described their union as the "best decision" of his life, emphasizing how their decade-long relationship seamlessly transitioned into married life, with minimal change in their day-to-day routine.

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Rajveer Deol, born on May 12, 1994, is a rising actor famed for his role in the 2023 film "Dono."

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Bobby Deol, the celebrated Bollywood actor, is a proud father of two children, Aryaman and Dharam. Born on March 20, 2002, Aryaman Deol is the elder of the two. He has kept a relatively low profile compared to his celebrity father but has made occasional public appearances, often drawing attention for his striking resemblance to Bobby Deol. Dharam, born on November 5, 2004, is the younger child of Bobby Deol and his wife Tanya.

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While the Deol children have largely stayed out of the limelight, the legacy of their illustrious family continues to captivate the imagination of Bollywood enthusiasts. 

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Following their marriage, Esha and Bharat expanded their family with the arrival of their first child, a daughter named Radhya, born on October 20, 2017. In June 2019, Esha and Bharat`s family grew even more as they welcomed their second child, another daughter whom they lovingly named Miraya. The Deol-Takhtani family continued to thrive, with Esha and Bharat doting on their two adorable daughters.

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Ahana Deol and her husband Vaibhav Vohra, who tied the knot in February 2014 and welcomed their first child, Darien, in June 2015, are now also proud parents to twin daughters, Astraia and Adea Vohra. 

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Today is Bobby Deol`s birthday and he has a lot to be happy about. His recent film `Animal`, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has been a great success. Looking forward to 2024, there are reports that Bobby will be joining the cast of several upcoming movies.

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