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Music: Desi: Bollywood

Music documentaries, in-depth profiles and concerts featuring some of the biggest names

Music documentaries, in-depth profile pieces and concerts recordings featuring some of the biggest names from South Asia and the UK.

Tune into this treasure trove each week for the best in new music documentaries, exclusive interviews, in-depth profile pieces and concert recordings featuring some of the biggest names from South Asia and the UK.

Asian Network Presents: Living Legends

Asian Network Presents: Living Legends: Episode 1: Dharmendra

Dharmendra

Episode 1

Episode 1: Dharmendra

Living Legends

BBC Asian Network - Asian Network Presents, Living Legends, Dharmendra

Dharmendra talks about his successful career, which has spanned five decades.

In this Living Legends special, hear from the man often described as the original action hero of Bollywood, Dharmendra, whose career includes the hits Pratigya, Sholay and Apne.

In this Asian Network Presents special, we hear from Dharmendra, the man often described as the 'original action hero' of Bollywood.

As a child, he watched the 1948 film Shaheed and there was no looking back for Dharmendra. He dreamt that one day he would also become an actor like the great Dilip Kumar. 

With stars in his eyes he entered a film talent contest and his dreams became a reality. He defeated thousands of hopefuls and came to Mumbai in the '60s.

His first role was in Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere (1960) and even though the film went unnoticed, Dharmendra knew he would one day make his mark in the industry.

And he was right. Films like Anpadh (1962), Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964) and Phool Aur Paththar (1966) followed. The young Punjabi newcomer was paired with the biggest actresses of the time including Nutan, Meena Kumari and Sharmila Tagore.

With his romantic looks, humorous charm and yet macho image he conquered the hearts of millions around the world.

Nick-named Garam Dharam, he's starred in a dozens of successful films in a career that's spanned five decades, including Loafer (1973), Pratigya (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Naukar Biwi Ka (1983) and Apne (2007).

And of course, Dharmendra's portrayal of the lovable Veeru in the blockbuster Sholay (1975) will never be forgotten.

In this special, Dharmendra talks about his childhood, his early days in the industry and his co-stars. He shares stories from the sets of some of his biggest films and talks about his sons Sunny and Bobby and his daughter Esha, all of whom have followed him into Bollywood.

Iconic Bollywood personalities talk about their careers.

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