- By Yashashvi Tak
- Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Dharmendra, widely known as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, 24 November, at his residence in Mumbai. His final rites were held at the Pawan Hans crematorium. He had served as a BJP MP from Bikaner in the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-2009), though his parliamentary attendance was reported to be low.
Inspired by the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and encouraged by former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, Dharmendra was drawn into politics. Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who was then with the BJP, along with the late Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, played key roles in bringing him into the party.
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Dharmendra (He-Man) Political Journey
Originating from Sahnewal near Ludhiana, Punjab, Dharmendra made his political debut in 2004 by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the “India Shining” campaign. Backed by senior party leaders, including LK Advani, he was nominated from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Leveraging his fame as a Bollywood icon, he defeated Congress contender Rameshwar Lal Dudi by a margin of around 60,000 votes, securing a seat in the 14th Lok Sabha.
Once in office, his parliamentary engagement was limited, with reports indicating sporadic attendance in sessions. Many constituents in Bikaner expressed frustration over his perceived inaccessibility. While critics labeled him an “absentee” MP, his supporters maintained that he was actively contributing to local development behind the scenes.
Why Did Dharmendra (He-Man) Ended His Political Journey?
After completing his five-year term in Parliament, Dharmendra openly admitted that politics was not his calling. His son, actor Sunny Deol, later revealed in an interview that his father “did not like politics” and often felt disheartened by its inner workings. Reflecting on his experience, Dharmendra once remarked, “Kaam main karta tha, credit koi aur le jaata tha. Perhaps that place wasn’t for me.”
Despite stepping away from active politics, he supported Sunny Deol during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when his son contested from Gurdaspur on a BJP ticket. Addressing the media at the time, Dharmendra clarified, “I have come here not to deliver political speeches as I am not a politician. I am a patriot, and I am here to understand local issues.”
In his later years, Dharmendra refrained from formal political roles but continued expressing his views on national issues. During the 2021 farmers’ protest, he voiced his solidarity on social media, writing, “I hope today my farmer brothers get justice. I pray with all my heart. Every noble soul will get relief.”