Dharmendra, the iconic Bollywood "He-Man," known for his roles in classics such as Sholay and Chupke Chupke, passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. While his cinematic legacy remains firmly etched in Indian film history, the actor also had a brief, and by his own admission, emotionally taxing stint in politics.

Dharmendra's foray into the political arena began in 2004 when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party was riding high on its "India Shining" campaign, a narrative that aimed to highlight the country's economic progress. Inspired by the campaign, and after meeting with senior BJP leaders like Lal Krishna Advani, Dharmendra was nominated to contest the Lok Sabha seat from Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Capitalizing on his immense popularity and charisma, Dharmendra won the election by a significant margin of nearly 60,000 votes, defeating Congress candidate Rameshwar Lal Dudi. He became a Member of Parliament, a new role that was seen as both symbolic and, ultimately, controversial.

However, Dharmendra's tenure as an MP was marked by minimal attendance in Parliament and limited engagement with his constituency. Reports indicated that he often prioritized his film commitments and time at his farmhouse over his legislative duties. This led to criticism, with many viewing him as an "absentee" MP who was not adequately addressing the needs of Bikaner.

Adding to the controversy, during his election campaign, Dharmendra made a remark that he should be elected "dictator perpetuo" to instill basic etiquette required for democracy, which drew severe criticism.

Despite the criticisms, Dharmendra's supporters maintained that he worked behind the scenes for his constituency. Dharmendra himself expressed a strong sense of patriotism during this period. In 2019, while campaigning for his son Sunny Deol, who contested from Gurdaspur on a BJP ticket, he stated that he wasn't there to deliver political speeches but to understand local issues, emphasizing that "patriotism is in our blood".

After completing his five-year term in 2009, Dharmendra chose not to contest elections again. Reflecting on his political journey, he admitted that the role did not suit him. He reportedly said that he did the work, but someone else took the credit, suggesting that politics was not the right arena for him. His son, Sunny Deol, later revealed that Dharmendra regretted his political experience.

While Dharmendra stepped away from active politics, other members of his family, including his wife Hema Malini and son Sunny Deol, pursued their own political careers. Hema Malini has been elected three times from Mathura, and Sunny Deol won once from Gurdaspur.

Dharmendra's short-lived political career serves as a contrasting chapter in the life of a beloved actor. His initial attraction to the BJP's "India Shining" vision was ultimately overshadowed by the emotional toll and practical challenges of political life. In the end, "Dharam Paaji" remained first and foremost an actor, leaving behind a cinematic legacy that continues to resonate with audiences.