Garam Dharm turns 70, feels ‘like 17’

MUMBAI: The original ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood, Dharmendra, turned 70 today. The actor turned politician, however, said he did not feel like a 70 years old, but only like a 17-year old.

“I have come this far due to the love and affection showered on me by fans and well-wishers,” he told a television channel. Dharmendra would prefer to spend the day with the family and friends and no special event was planned for the day, sources said.

The ‘Veeru’ of the great Hindi blockbuster ‘Sholay’, has starred in several popular films including ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Sita aur Gita’ and ‘Haqeeqat’ in his film career spanning over four decades.

Born as Dharam Singh Deol in Punjab’s Phagwara in 1935, he came to Mumbai to participate in a talent search contest by a film magazine and started his career in early 60s.

Dharmendra has been married twice and has five children by his first wife, including two actor sons – Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He also has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, by his second wife, actress-turned-MP Hema Malini.

He became a member of Parliament last year from Bikaner in Rajasthan on a BJP ticket.