Dharmendra, The Macho man of Bollywood passed away on 24th November 2025 after he was admitted in hospital. Rumours of his demise were viral a few days back while he was struggling on a ventilator support.
Image source – Internet
He was born on 8th December 1935 in a Punjabi family. Having debuted in 1960, he played the romantic lead before he took up action roles. I haven’t watched many of his films, so I won’t be able to talk about his films or the characters he played. But I am fond of many of the songs lip synched by him, mainly from the 60s, when he was mainly playing the romantic lead. After he was established as an action hero, he had a good number of popular and melodious songs picturised on him.
As a tribute to the charming and handsome hero, I present a few of my favourite Hindi film songs, picturised on him. As l said already, the majority are from the 60s. It’s worthwhile to note that Mukesh was his voice in his debut film, and he also sang for him in a few more films in the 60s. Though the majority of his songs were sung by Rafi in the 60s and by Kishore Kumar in the 70s, Mahendra Kapoor, Hemant Kumar also had their share.
During his career, he was paired on screen with all the leading ladies of that era, from Kumkum in his first film, to Meena Kumari, Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore, Saira Banu, Vyjayantimala, Nanda, Mala Sinha, Tanuja, Mumtaz, Rakhi, Zeenat Aman and of course, Hema Malini. He was definitely handsome and had a charm, mainly in the 60s and the early 70s. I’m not much aware of his later career as a leading man in action films. In general I’m not a fan of his action movies.
Today’s list, as highlighted earlier, has mainly his Hindi film songs from the 60s, though obviously a few Hindi film songs of the 70s are there as well.
I’ve tried to incorporate as many co actresses as possible, I haven’t repeated a name. But the song may or may not be a duet.
Let’s now listen to and watch today’s list. The songs are arranged chronologically.
1. Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhai Mein – Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) Mukesh / Kalyanji Anandji – Shamim Jaipuri
It was his debut film and Kumkum was his coactress, who was popular then. Dharmendra looked handsome and had a boyish charm. This soulful song in the voice of Mukesh is still very popular. It was among the top 3 songs on the annual Binaca Geetmala. Later in the 60s, Dharmendra again lipsynched to Mukesh’s voice in a few films, notably Devar.
2. Chanda Se Hoga Woh Pyara – Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (1964) Lata Mangeshkar & P B Srinivas / Chitragupt – Rajendra Krishan
Meena Kumari played a girl with dusky complexion. She’s married to Dharmendra, who ultimately falls in love with her despite initial disagreement. The couple is expecting a child and they sing the song merrily. Their on-screen chemistry is so good. During the mid 60s, Lata Mangeshkar was not singing with Rafi. So this song, the only song in the movie Dharmendra lip-syncs to, was sung by a popular South Indian singer, P B Srinivas.
Dharmendra was paired with Meena Kumari in five Hindi films, while in the sixth film, Kajal, they were not on-screen lead pair. Meena Kumari was allegedly attracted to Dharmendra and they shared good bonding. Meena Kumari had a troubled married life and his company was said to offer happiness to her. Despite the rumours, Dharmendra always attributed it as a relationship between a fan, himself and the star, Meena Kumari.
3. Main Nigaahen Tere Chehre Se – Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964) Rafi / Madan Mohan – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Dharmendra was opposite Supriya Choudhary in the movie. She was his co-star in Begaana (1963), which was probably her Hindi film debut. I remember the film mainly for the Rafi solos picturised on Dharmendra and Supriya Choudhary. While the energetic Yehi Hai Tamanna was also popular, this romantic soft melody is equally enchanting. Once into action films, such soft melodies were rarely picturised on him.
4. Mujhe Dard E Dil Ka Pata – Akashdeep (1965) Rafi / Chitragupt – Majrooh
Dharmendra and Nanda played the second lead in the movie. And though the movie itself was forgettable, the majority of its songs were popular, including this soulful song, which sounds like a song of repentance. The lyrics are meaningful and the tune is good. Nanda’s other film with Dharmendra was Mera Qusoor Kya Hai (1964) with songs composed by Chitragupt again.
5. Aapko Pyar Chhupane Ki Buri Aadat Hai – Neela Akash (1965) Rafi & Asha Bhosle / Madan Mohan – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
I’m fond of both the romantic duets from this movie. The initial conversation between them and Mala Sinha teasing him sounds so cute. The song is picturised in Lodhi garden in Delhi, which provides a picturesque backdrop to the good looking couple.
Dharmendra and Mala Sinha shared the silver screen in six films, Aankhen, Anpadh, Neela Akash, Pooja Ke Phool, Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi and Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai, all in the 60s. All the movies had great songs and most of those still maintain popularity.
6. Tumhe Dil Se Chaha – Chand Aur Suraj (1965) Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur / Salil Choudhary – Shailendra
The song is picturised on Dharmendra and Tanuja. Together they worked for a few films, Chand Aur Suraj, Izzat, Do Chor etc. It’s a cute romantic duet, energetic and joyous! It’s said that during the making of this movie, Tanuja slapped Dharmendra, when he tried flirting with her. Later she tied Rakhi to him and they developed a deep bond of friendship that lasted forever. It was during this time, she also met his wife and children on the sets.
7. Ya Dil Ki Suno Duniyawalo – Anupama (1966) Hemant Kumar / Hemant Kumar – Kaifi Azmi
The film had Sharmila Tagore and by coincidence Dharmendra and Sharmila shared their birthday, on 8th December. This is perhaps the only occasion when Hemant Kumar sang for Dharmendra. I particularly chose this one to highlight one of the rare occasions when Dharmendra sings the song with a grim face and serious mood. Sharmila Tagore, though not attending the gathering, is seen wandering in the garden.
They were together in 8 films. After Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee also chose him for Anupama, where he played a role of a sensitive writer. Both these films must have boosted his career and helped establish himself as an actor taking his job seriously. Both of them were a part of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam (1969) and Chupke Chupke (1975). Their other popular films include, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Yakeen, Devar, Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka, Sunny etc.
8. In Bahaaron Mein Akele Na Phiro – Mamta (1966) Rafi & Asha Bhosle / Roshan – Majrooh
Dharmendra played the second lead with Suchitra Sen, who was in a double role. She played mother and daughter both, opposite Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra respectively. The song usually gets overshadowed by the other popular songs from the movie. But it’s a beautiful romantic song, picturised at a picturesque location. The on-screen couple looks gorgeous. The duet version of Rahe Na Rahe Hum is also picturised on them.
9. Ek Haseen Sham Ko – Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1966) Rafi / Madan Mohan – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
It’s a beautiful romantic song with a lilting tune. The tune, the lyrics and Rafi’s rendition all are first class. The song has guitar as a rhythm instrument and is one of Rafi’s bests with Madan Mohan.
Dharmendra was paired with Nutan in three films, though in Bandini (1963), they were not exactly an on-screen couple. But it was the first opportunity for Dharmendra to share the screen with a talented actress like Nutan and also to work with Bimal Roy. It was a sort of config shown by Roy on the newcomer. The later two films, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki and Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, both in 1966, were not commercially successful. But songs from both the films are still very popular.
10. Ye Kali Jab Talak Phool Banke Khile – Aaye Din Bahaar Ke (1966) Lata Mangeshkar & Mahendra Kapoor / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Asha Parekh was one of the established actresses in the 60s. She was paired with Dharmendra in Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, Shikar and Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
In the mid 60s, when Laxmikant Pyarelal were becoming popular, their compositions used to be extremely popular. Aaye Din Bahaar Ke was one of those films. It was during the period when Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi were not singing together. This duet was sung by Mahendra Kapoor with her. A melodious romance song.
11. Main Kahin Kavi Na Ban Jaaoon – Pyar Hi Pyar (1969) Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
It was Dharmendra’s only film with Vyjayantimala. It’s said that he introduced himself to her on the first day of the shoot as they hadn’t met before. I chose to highlight the film as it has a song picturised in an elevator for its entire length. Dharmendra tries to flirt on-screen with Vyjayantimala and teases her a lot. She finally seems to fall for his charm. A popular song!
12. Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai – Loafer (1973) Rafi / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Mumtaz and Dharmendra shared the silver screen in Loafer and Jhil Ke Us Paar. Im my opinion, the songs from the former had been more popular than from the latter. Dharmendra singing romantically in a garden, teasing Mumtaz. Click here for the video.
13. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas – Black Mail (1973) Kishore Kumar / Kalyanji Anandji – Rajendra Krishan
Rakhi and Dharmendra were the romantic leads in Jeevan Mrityu (1970) which was Rakhi’s Hindi film debut, and Black Mail. Both films had popular songs. But to me, this romantic song certainly scores over the other songs. The song shows the journey of the couple through letters. Addressed as ‘Dear Miss Asha’ in the first letter to ‘dear Asha’ and finally to Asha. What a cute song! Penned in simple words and woven in a simple but catchy tune, the song has been one of my all time favourites.
14. Kisi Shair Ki Ghazal – Dreamgirl (1977) Kishore Kumar & Chorus / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Hema Malini debuted in 1968 with Sapnon Ka Saudagar, when Dharmendra was an established actor. They were first paired in Tum Haseen Main Jawan in 1970. Theirs was one of the most popular pairs in the 70s and they went on to get married in 1980. The pair shared the silver screen in more than 20 films. Hema Malini was promoted as dreamgirl in the beginning and she also starred in a movie of the same name. Hema Malini appeared in multiple beautiful attires in the song.
15. Hum Bewafa Hargeez Na The – Shalimar (1978) Kishore Kumar & Chorus / R D Burman – Anand Bakshi
Zeenat Aman was his female co-star in this movie. Though the pair doesn’t feature in the song, it’s a beautifully crafted song with wonderful use of chorus.
Dharmendra will always be remembered as a handsome hero and a good actor. May his soul rest in peace.
Would you add a song to the list?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
