Dharmendra’s Short Political Journey: Why Bollywood’s He-Man Said ‘An Actor Should Remain An Actor’

Dharmendra's political stint, though brief, remains a memorable chapter in his life - one he later openly admitted was not meant for him. After dominating Hindi cinema for decades, the veteran actor stepped into politics in 2004, contesting the Lok Sabha elections as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Bikaner, Rajasthan. His popularity and Punjabi charm helped him secure a decisive victory over Congress leader Rameshwar Lal Dudi by nearly 60,000 votes.

A native of Sahnewal near Ludhiana, Dharmendra drew massive crowds throughout his campaign. His star power, coupled with candid remarks, made him a widely discussed figure that election season. Although the BJP under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee lost the national election, Dharmendra succeeded in his political debut.

However, once he entered Parliament, the glamour quickly dissipated. His low attendance and limited participation in parliamentary debates soon became talking points. Speaking to PTI in 2008, Dharmendra candidly reflected on the downside of mixing films and politics.

"I won't say entering politics was a mistake, but an actor should not come into politics as it divides the audience and their acceptance. An actor should always remain an actor. The love I got from fans is my biggest achievement," he said.

When questioned about his parliamentary attendance, he defended himself by highlighting his work in Bikaner.
"I am always in touch with my constituency. From cleaning Sur Sagar, reducing school fees, renovating Rangmanch theatre, to building bridges - I worked on every issue," he said.
He added that coming from a farmer's family helped him understand people's struggles, and criticism would not weaken his resolve.

Dharmendra did not contest the 2009 elections, effectively ending his parliamentary career. At an event in Ludhiana in 2010, he expressed remorse about entering politics.
"I felt suffocated in politics. I was emotionally dragged into it. The day I agreed, I went to the washroom and banged my head into the mirror. Politics was never for me," he said, while insisting he had worked hard for Bikaner.

Years later, Dharmendra's wife, actor Hema Malini, entered electoral politics, winning the Lok Sabha seat from Mathura on a BJP ticket after serving as a Rajya Sabha MP between 2004 and 2009. She later revealed that Dharmendra was initially against her decision.
"Dharamji told me not to contest because he knew how difficult it was. When he said that, I took it as a challenge," she said. She noted that the stardom surrounding film actors often made political life overwhelming.

Dharmendra also publicly backed his son Sunny Deol during the 2019 general elections. Sunny, contesting from Gurdaspur on a BJP ticket, won by over 82,000 votes against Congress' Sunil Jakhar. At a rally, Dharmendra addressed the crowd straight from the heart.
"I do not give speeches. I talk to people. I am not a politician," he said. Like his father, Sunny did not return to active politics after completing his term.

Dharmendra rarely commented on national issues but made an exception during the farmers' protest near Delhi in 2020. He appealed to the central government to "quickly find a solution," citing rising COVID-19 cases. After deleting the post amid criticism, he responded to a social media user:
"I felt sad by remarks like these, so I deleted my tweet. You can abuse me, I am happy you are happy. I am sad for my farmer brothers. The government must find a solution fast."