Dharmendra, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema, began his journey to stardom with humble beginnings. While he is now known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, his first foray into the film industry was marked by a surprisingly small paycheck.
Dharmendra's debut film was in 1960, titled Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, directed by Arjun Hingorani. He had come to Mumbai from Punjab with aspirations of becoming an actor. Like many aspiring actors, he faced his fair share of struggles in the early days.
Recounting his early days, Dharmendra shared that he was called into the producer's cabin to discuss his salary for Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He admitted that he was contemplating how much he would be paid for the film, perhaps even hoping for ₹5,000. However, the reality was far from his expectations. In a surprising turn of events, the three producers present each contributed ₹17 from their own pockets, totaling a mere ₹51 as his signing amount.
Instead of being disheartened by the modest sum, Dharmendra embraced it. He considered the ₹51 his "lucky money," a symbol of the beginning of his long and successful career. Despite the small amount, ₹51 held more value back in 1960. Dharmendra, who was struggling at the time, decided to use the money to treat himself to a meal at a hotel and celebrate with friends.
From that initial ₹51, Dharmendra's career soared to great heights. He went on to deliver numerous hits and become one of the most successful and highest-paid actors in Bollywood. He has acted in a range of films, and was recently seen in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. He also appeared in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. Currently, he is filming for Sriram Raghavan's upcoming film Ikkis, alongside Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda, which is set to release on December 25, 2025.
Today, Dharmendra reportedly charges ₹5 crore per film. This is a massive jump from his first salary, showing his impressive growth in the industry. His journey from a humble ₹51 to crores is a reminder that even legendary careers can have modest beginnings.
Recently, on November 13, 2025, Dharmendra's son, Sunny Deol, addressed the media, requesting privacy for his father, who is recovering from health issues.
