Long before audiences hailed him as Bollywood’s action hero, Dharmendra was a young man with dreams in his eyes and posters of his idols on the wall.
He stepped into Hindi cinema in the 60s, rising to become one of the biggest stars through the 70s and 80s. Even today, at 89, he continues to remain active and loved by generations.
But before the applause and fame, Dharmendra was a true fan himself.
Which actress was Dharmendra’s first crush?
Dharmendra was admired by countless women and worked opposite leading heroines of his time. But his first admiration was reserved for someone else, the legendary Suraiya.
Suraiya was no ordinary actress. She was hailed as “Mallika-e-Husn” (Queen of Beauty) and “Mallika-e-Adakari” (Queen of Acting). Her graceful presence and soulful performances made her the dream girl of the 40s and 50s. Dharmendra, too, wasn’t spared from her charm.
What made Suraiya special for Dharmendra?
As a teenager, Dharmendra was so drawn to her work that he reportedly watched Suraiya’s film Dillagi (1949) not once or twice, but nearly 40 times. Such was her magic that even the future superstar couldn’t resist.
Suraiya’s songs, persona, and screen aura made her a living legend of her era. For Dharmendra, she wasn’t just an actress, she was the very definition of cinematic beauty.
Who was Suraiya beyond the screen?
Born on 15 June 1929 in Lahore (then part of undivided India, now Pakistan), Suraiya Jamal Sheikh moved with her family to Bombay, where destiny awaited her. She began as a child artist in films like Tamanna and Station Master before becoming a leading lady in the 40s.
Her voice was as popular as her acting. In an age before playback singers dominated, Suraiya sang many of her own songs, making her even more admired by audiences.
Why did Suraiya never marry?
Behind the spotlight, her personal life was marked by an incomplete love story. Suraiya was deeply in love with Dev Anand, and the two dated for nearly three years. But family opposition and differences in religion created a wall between them. Suraiya chose silence over rebellion and never married.
She remained unmarried all her life, carrying with her the memories of a love that could not survive. She passed away in January 2004 at the age of 74, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.
What connects Dharmendra and Suraiya’s story?
Dharmendra went on to marry twice, first to Prakash Kaur and later to Hema Malini, another actress he deeply admired. But his youthful admiration for Suraiya reflects how even the biggest stars once carried simple crushes and unfulfilled dreams, just like their fans.
The “He-Man” of Bollywood was, after all, once just a boy who sat wide-eyed in a theatre, watching Suraiya light up the silver screen.
Highlights:
- Dharmendra watched Suraiya’s Dillagi nearly 40 times.
- Suraiya and Dev Anand’s love story never found a happy ending.
- The actress remained unmarried till her death in 2004.