Ludhiana, Punjab — As tributes continue to pour in for legendary actor Dharmendra, memories of his humble beginnings in Punjab have once again come into the spotlight. Born in Nasrali, a small hamlet in Ludhiana district, Dharmendra—born Dharam Singh Deol—belonged to a Jat family and spent his early years in the village of Dangon near Pakhowal Tehsil, Raikot. His parents, Kewal Krishan and Satwant Kaur, raised him in a home that still stands today, carrying the emotional weight of an era long gone.
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, Dharmendra’s childhood home in Raikot’s Sadavartiya locality holds a deeply sentimental history. On July 22, 1959, his father Kewal Krishna Deol sold the house to prominent Raikot trader Kewal Agarwal for just ₹5,000. The sale deed, written in Urdu and stamped for ₹150, remains preserved—a reminder of the family’s modest past and the enduring value of their memories.
Despite owning a larger estate elsewhere, the Agarwal family has stayed emotionally connected to the home and continues to revisit it. Remarkably, the electricity meter still bears the name of Dharmendra’s father. “We never thought of changing it. It is an honour for us that his father’s name remains,” said Kewal Kumar, a member of the family.
Dharmendra, whose stardom took him far from Punjab, never lost touch with his roots. Former sarpanch of Dango, Amritpal Singh, recalled the actor’s unwavering affection for his birthplace. The villagers prayed for him during his illness, hoping for his recovery, reflecting his lasting bond with the community.
Known fondly as a “hero” even in childhood, Dharmendra’s charm and personality may well have shaped his destiny. After winning a Talent Hunt contest in 1958, he debuted in Bollywood with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960). Over the years, he became widely celebrated as one of the most handsome and versatile actors of Indian cinema, earning a place in Outlook India’s list of the 75 Best Bollywood Actors and ranking 10th on Rediff.com’s Top 10 Bollywood Actors of All Time in 2022.
With over 300 films to his credit—including timeless classics like Sholay, Satyakam, and Chupke Chupke—Dharmendra’s cinematic legacy remains unparalleled. Even as the film fraternity mourns his passing, the villages of Punjab where he grew up continue to hold his memory close, keeping alive the story of the boy from Nasrali who became one of India’s most beloved stars.
