Guest Author
By Dr. Sanjay Ahire
November 24, 2025. Dharmendra No More…
The news hit my social media feeds, instantly rewinding my mind down the memory lane all those decades back to my years growing up in 1960s! I remembered how as young kids, walking from our house in Vile Parle East to Juhu Beach in Mumbai, my friends and I used to pause in front of his posh bungalow in Juhu Scheme in the hopes of catching a glimpse of probably the most handsome Hindi movie star of those days.
I didn’t follow Dharmendra’s career much after the apex of the movie Sholay. My memories of his acting tenure are focused primarily on 1960s and to a less extent on early 1970s.
For many reasons, 1960s are (rightly) regarded as the “Golden Decade” of Hindi movies and especially timeless songs. Various decades have had their undisputed “Superstars” (Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor in 50s; Rajesh Khanna in early 70s; Amitabh in mid-1970s and up to mid-1980s, and the three Khans in 1990s and 2000s). But 1960s were blessed with fierce competition for stardom. Rajendra Kumar, Raj Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Vishwajeet, Jeetendra in late 60s, and of course Dharmendra.
It is indeed a testimony to his “staying power” through his charisma and the unique blend of romantic and he-man personality that Dharmendra carved out a clear (wide enough) niche and substantial following long before his pairings with Hema Malini, Rekha, Rakhee, and Mumtaz gave us his hit movies and songs of 1970s. Whether it was the patriotic soldier (Haqueeqat) or principled idealist (Satyakam, Anupama) or romantic lover (Bahaaren Phir Aayegi, Pyar Hi Pyar) or angry/upset romanticist (Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Yakeen, Devar, Aayee Milan Ki Bela) or detective/spy (Aankhein), he did justice to diverse eclectic roles. He certainly held his own ground across four waves of superstars: Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, and Amitabh.
Dharmendra co-starred with almost all the leading heroines of 60s, including Meena Kumari, Suchitra Sen, Sharmila Tagore, Nutan, Nanda, Tanuja, Sadhana, Saira Bano, Vaijayanti Mala, and Mala Sinha. And these pairings gave many memorable songs that even today have not lost their sweet grace, emotional depth, or zing.
Even when female solo songs “centered” on actresses, one could not miss his charismatic presence on the screen – for example – “Suno Sajanaa Papeeheney” (Asha Parekh); “Chalo Sajanaa Jahnaatak Ghataa Chale” (Sharmila); “Aapki Nazarone Samjhaa” (Mala Sinha); “Abhi Kya Sunoge” (Sharmila Tagore); “Agar Mujhse Mohabbat Hai” (Supriya Chaudhary), “Baagme Kali Khili” (Tanuja), “Allah Ye Adaa” (Mumtaz), “Milti Hai Zindagime Mohabbat” (Mala Sinha).
So, I would like to pay a special musical tribute to Dharmendra’s 1960s memories through many of “his” (solo and duet) memorable songs from the 60s. The bandwidth of these songs (philosophical, sad, flamboyant, touching, romantic, inspirational) reflects Dharmendra’s versatility that contributed to his sustaining power in the fantastic 1960s that then stretched and elevated his stardom well into the 1970s.
Here are 25 of what I consider to be his best (my favorite) (in random order) that will always be synonymous with this Romantic Lead of Hindi movies:
1. Ya Dil Ki Suno Duniyawalo (Anupama) [Sharmila Tagore] 2. In Baharonme Akele Na Phiro (Mamtaa) [Suchitra Sen] 3. Ik Haseen Shyaamko Dil Mera Kho Gayaa (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki) [Nutan] 4. Muzhko Is Raat ki Tanhaaime (Dilbhi Tera Humbhi Tere) [KumKum] 5. Main Suraj Hoon Tu Meri Kiran (Dilne Phir Yaad Kiya) [Nutan] 6. Kar Chale Hum Fida (Haqueeqat) [Priya Rajvansh] 7. Aayaa Hai Mujhe Phir Yaad Woh Zaaleem (Devar) [Sharmila Tagore] 8. Lo Chehraa Surkh Sharab Hua (Dilne Phir Yaad Kiya) [Nutan] 9. Hui Shyam Unka Khayaal Aa Gayaa (Mere Humdum Mere Dost) [Sharmila Tagore] 10. Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi Hum Tum (Shola Aur Shabnam) [Tarla Mehta] 11. Jaane Kya Dhoondti Rahti Hai Yeh Aankhen (Shola Aur Shabnam) [Tarla Mehta] 12. Mehboobaa Teri Tasveer Kis Tarhaa Main Banaaoo (IshqPar Zor Nahi) [Sadhana] 13. Mujhe Dard-e-Dilka Pataa Na Thaa (Akash Deep) [Nanda] 14. Aapke Haseen RukhPe Aaj Nayaa Noor Hai (Bahaaren Phir Aayegee) [Mala Sinha and Tanuja] 15. Dilne Phir Yaad Kiya (Dilne Phir Yaad Kiya) [Nutan] 16. Humsafar Mere Humsafar (Purnima) [Meena Kumari] 17. Yeh Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagataa Nahi (Izzat) [Tanuja] 18. Main Kahin Kavee Na Ban Jaoon (Pyar Hi Pyaar) [Vyajayanti Mala] 19. Gar Tum Bhoola Na Dogey (Yakeen) [Sharmila Tagore] 20. Ye Dil Diwaanaa Hai (Ishq Par Zor Nahee) [Sadhana] 21. Zilmil Sitaronka (Jeevan Mrityu) [Rakhee] 22. Kaliyone Ghunghat Khole (Dilne Phir Yaad Kiya) [Nutan] 23. Tum Sabse Haseen Ho (Mohabbat Zindagi Hai) [Rajashree] 24. Aapne Apnaa Banaayaa (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki) [Nutan] 25. Saathiyaa Nahi Jaanaa Ke Jee Naa Lage (Aayaa Saawan Jhumke) [Asha Parekh].
If you are a connoisseur of Bollywood movies and music, I am sure you will find at least some of these to be your favorites, too. If you have not heard (or not heard enough of or have not heard in a while) some of these songs, you will find them delightful to listen and watch.
Note that 19 of these 25 songs were sung by the immortal Rafi. But it doesn’t diminish the fact that Dharmendra seemed the perfect on-screen voice for each of them. (And if one were to attribute these songs’ popularity only to Rafi, then that would be certainly the case for all the leading stars of 1960s).
I will revert to one of these beautiful songs to re-live those years. Thank you Dharmendra for your contributions to the Golden Decade. Your memories will be cherished for a long time to come through these timeless songs.
Dr. Sanjay Ahire is Professor and Co-Director of USC Operations and Supply Chain Center at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He lives with his wife Sneha in Blythewood, SC. They share a deep passion for old Hindi movies and songs. Contact: drsanjayahire@gmail.com.
