Meet star who once gave back-to-back flops; his fate changed after he became a villain; even Hema Malini was madly in love, not Rajesh Khanna, it is…

Very few heroes have had their fortunes shine as villains. Except for Shah Rukh Khan, no other name comes to mind. But Dharmendra is one of those stars whose fortunes shined as a villain. This one film made him a star.

Bollywood’s He-Man Captures Hearts

Dharmendra, also fondly known as Bollywood’s He-Man, is one of the loved actors in Indian cinema. In his career of over six decades, he has delivered one hit after the other, captivating audiences with his impressive acting skills and macho-man image.
The film Aayi Milan Ki Bela was released in 1964. In this film, he appeared before audiences for the first time as a villain. His portrayal won everyone’s hearts. His performance was widely praised.

A Breakthrough Role That Changed His Career

From playing a romantic hero to a comic character, Dharmendra has done it all. But did you know it was an antagonistic role that turned out to be a breakthrough, changing the trajectory of his career?
Rajendra Kumar was seen as the lead hero in director Mohan Kumar’s film. Saira Banu was seen in the role of heroine. This film made Dharmendra, known as He-Man in Bollywood, a star overnight.

Early Struggles Before Stardom

Dharmendra made his debut in the film industry in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s romantic drama Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and initially took on supporting roles. In the first few years of his career, his films did not perform well at the box office. Then came 1964, and his entire life changed.
Dharmendra has played all kinds of roles throughout his career, from romantic to comic. In his early days, he played supporting roles, often playing small roles in films. However, it was the 1964 film Aayi Milan Ki Bela that catapulted him to stardom.

The Only Film Where Dharmendra Played a Villain

He featured in Mohan Kumar’s Ayee Milan Ki Bela, featuring Jubilee star Rajendra Kumar and Saira Banu. This is the only film in Dharmendra’s career where he played a villain. This Dharmendra film was a huge box office hit. After this film, Dharmendra became a household name. Filmmakers began to trust him as a guaranteed hit star. He was subsequently offered several other good films.

Box Office Success and Recognition

The film was a box office success. Its popularity opened doors of superstardom for Dharmendra, making him a household name and establishing him as one of the bankable actors in the industry. The film Aai Milne Ki Bela told the story of two brothers separated for two years. Dharmendra and Rajendra Kumar played brothers who are in love with the same girl, Barkha, played by Saira. Despite not being the lead, Dharmendra stole the limelight from the film.

A Story of Two Brothers and One Love

Ayee Milan Ki Bela was the first time he worked with such well-known faces and a respected director. The story of the film revolved around two long-lost brothers, Shyam (Rajendra) and Ranjeet (Dharmendra), who fall in love with the same girl, Barkha (Saira Banu).

Dharmendra’s character in the film so overshadowed Rajendra that, despite the presence of the superstar known as Jubilee Kumar, Dharmendra stole all the attention. Even Rajendra Kumar paled in comparison to his acting.

The Show-Stealing Villain

Dharmendra’s performance stood out the most. His villainous character, who challenged the film’s lead actor, left audiences surprised and impressed. More than Rajendra Kumar was the lead, Dharmendra’s performance turned out to be the show stealer.

It’s worth noting that Dharmendra was famous for his acting as well as his looks. Even Hema Malini, the top actress of the era, was captivated by his looks. After this film, Dharmendra never looked back. While his debut was with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere, it was Aayi Milan Ki Bela that became his guaranteed hit.

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