Announcement on the Eve of Republic Day: Dharmendra to Be Honoured Posthumously with the Highest Civilian Award ‘Padma Vibhushan’

By Shantiswaroop Tripathi

The evening of January 25 was etched into the history of Indian cinema as a golden yet emotional moment when, on the eve of Republic Day, the Government of India announced that Bollywood’s iconic “He-Man,” veteran actor late Dharmendra Singh Deol, would be conferred with the country’s second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously). The news touched the hearts of millions of Indians who had grown up watching Dharmendra smile, fight, love, and inspire on the silver screen. Dharmendra was, and will always remain, a true “ornament” of the Indian heart.

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Dharmendra’s acting journey began in 1960 with the film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, and it came full circle with his final appearance in the film Ikkees, released in January 2026, shortly after his passing. In his debut film, he shared the screen with legends Balraj Sahni and Kumkum. With a career spanning over 300 films, Dharmendra holds a record for delivering the highest number of successful films—an achievement unmatched by any other actor. However, his was not just a 65-year-long career; it was the story of an artist who consistently used his roles to convey meaningful messages to society. Through every film, Dharmendra sought to inspire his audience in one way or another.

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While it is true that post the 1990s, particularly through films directed by J.P. Dutta and others, Dharmendra’s image became synonymous with that of an action star—and many remember him for fiery dialogues like “Kutte… kameene…”—the larger truth is that Dharmendra was never just an action hero. He was among the rare artists who, without being associated with IPTA or any specific ideological organization, raised social concerns purely through his films and characters.

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His debut film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) addressed issues such as poverty, prostitution, and the struggles of marginalized communities. Through the character of Panchu, Dharmendra portrayed the tragedy of individuals trapped between human emotions and social evils, delivering a powerful message about how circumstances push people toward wrong paths, yet the hope for goodness always survives.

Mohankumar’s Anpadh (1962) highlighted several crucial social issues, while Satyakam (1969) depicted an honest man’s battle against corruption—a theme that remains deeply relevant even today. The 1968 film Aankhen conveyed a strong message of national security through patriotism and espionage. In Dost (1974), Dharmendra played a reformist character who advocates social change after being released from prison.

In Ikkees (2026), released after his death, Dharmendra portrayed Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, father of 1971 war hero Arun Khetarpal, offering a poignant tribute to patriotism and sacrifice. The message he delivered in his final film echoed the same ideals he had expressed 61 years earlier in Chetan Anand’s Haqeeqat (1964) through the character of Bahadur Singh. This continuity proves that Dharmendra was a deeply thoughtful man, genuinely concerned about society, the nation, and humanity at large.

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Dharmendra’s films were also rich in socially conscious dialogues. Take, for instance, Satyakam’s iconic line: “Jo sach ki raah par chalta hai, use duniya pagal kehti hai, lekin asli sukoon usi pagalpan mein hota hai. —a profound message about integrity.

Similarly, the dialogue from Anupama— “Insaan ke paas shabd kam pad jaate hain jab samvednaayein gehri hoti hain.”
From Phool Aur Patthar, the line— “Duniya ko nafrat se nahi, mamta aur pyaar se jeeta ja sakta hai.”—delivers a timeless message of transformation.

Even in Ramesh Sippy’s action-packed classic Sholay, though the film revolves around eliminating the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh, the iconic dialogue— “Yeh haath nahi, phaansi ka phanda hai!” symbolizes standing up against injustice.

ilms like Anupama, Bandini, Khamoshi, Chupke Chupke, Guddi, and Satyakam, along with several masterpieces by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Bimal Roy, showcased Dharmendra in roles of a sensitive, gentle, and layered man. As an actor, he always gravitated toward characters that raised profound questions with remarkable simplicity.

In his personal life, Dharmendra was fondly known as the ““Dharti Putra”.  Hailing from Phagwara, Punjab, he remained deeply connected to his roots throughout his life. His simplicity, poetry, and love for farming reflected the dignity and social consciousness befitting a Padma awardee. Many admirers and film scholars believe that this honour should have come much earlier. While he received the Padma Bhushan in 2012, the wait for the Padma Vibhushan felt unusually long considering his stature and contribution.

Beyond cinema, Dharmendra also served the nation through politics. From 2004 to 2009, he was the Member of Parliament from Bikaner. Though critics questioned his attendance in Parliament, few acknowledged his grassroots work. During his tenure, he took significant steps to improve Bikaner’s infrastructure, allocating a large portion of his MPLAD funds toward building school classrooms in rural areas, improving education, expanding road networks, and addressing water scarcity through tube wells and water tank projects. He also championed local artists and traditional art forms at the national level.

During his election campaign, he famously said, “I have not come here to do politics, but to serve my people.” “Main yahan rajneeti karne nahi, apne logon ki seva karne aaya hoon.”

He often sat on the ground with locals, sharing meals and listening to their problems—an embodiment of his grounded personality. As he campaigned on dusty roads, he appeared not as a superstar but truly as a son of the soil. Today, as the Padma Vibhushan is announced in his honour, the people of Bikaner proudly say that their “MP” has finally received his due.

Dharmendra may no longer be among us, but this honour salutes the legacy he left behind in his 89 years of life. The Government of India’s decision has brought a sense of peace and pride to millions of his admirers.

The posthumous Padma Vibhushan awarded to Dharmendra is not merely a recognition of an artist—it is a tribute to the truth, simplicity, and integrity he lived by, both in films like Satyakam and in his role as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner.

FAQs

Q1. When and on what occasion was Dharmendra awarded the Padma Vibhushan?

Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously by the Government of India on 25 January, the eve of Republic Day.

Q2. Why was Dharmendra given this honour?

He was honoured for his immense contribution to Indian cinema, record-breaking hits, and powerful performances that delivered social messages.

Q3. When did Dharmendra's film career begin?

Dharmendra started his acting career in 1960 with the film 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere'.

Q4. How many films did Dharmendra act in during his career?

Dharmendra acted in about 300 films and holds the record for the most successful films.

Q5.Which was Dharmendra's last film?

Dharmendra's last film was 'Ekkis', which was released in January 2026.

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