AI Generated Summary
- His nephew, Buta Singh Deol, remembers how his “taya ji” would return to the village to meet family and friends, often driving tractors in the fields even at the height of his stardom.
- As veteran actor Dharmendra battles illness at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, a wave of concern and prayer has swept across the Malwa region — especially in the Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts, where the screen legend’s roots run deep.
- He is a symbol of hard work, humility, and deep connection to his roots — a reminder that greatness can emerge from the most modest beginnings.
As veteran actor Dharmendra battles illness at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, a wave of concern and prayer has swept across the Malwa region — especially in the Ludhiana and Malerkotla districts, where the screen legend’s roots run deep.
In the villages of Dangon, Banbhaura, and Haibowal Nasrali, residents who grew up hearing stories of the star’s early years are lighting candles and holding collective prayers for his recovery. For many here, Dharmendra is not just a Bollywood icon but a beloved son of the soil whose humility never faded despite his towering fame.
A Village Boy Before a Star
Born on December 8, 1935, in Haibowal Nasrali — his maternal grandparents’ village — Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol spent much of his childhood in the countryside of Ludhiana. His father, Kewal Krishan, served as a headmaster in the Education Department, leading the family to move frequently. During one such period, Dharmendra attended Government High School, Lalton, a modest institution that helped shape his early years.
Few know that before his cinematic journey began, Dharmendra worked as a tubewell operator in Banbhaura village of Malerkotla district. Villagers fondly recall his dedication and camaraderie. “He and his colleague Dilbag Rai Issi would help farmers water their crops at night,” reminisced Gurmel Singh, now in his eighties. “He was always one of us — solving our problems and working alongside us.”
Cherished Memories in Dangon
In Dangon, where Dharmendra’s ancestral home stands, the memories of his visits remain vivid. His nephew, Buta Singh Deol, remembers how his “taya ji” would return to the village to meet family and friends, often driving tractors in the fields even at the height of his stardom. “He loved the land and the people here. Despite his fame, he stayed grounded,” Buta Singh shared, holding a bundle of sepia-toned photographs showing the actor with villagers — laughing, working, and celebrating.
The Warmth That Defined Him
Dr. Davindra Ashok, a local writer from Pakhowal who once began work on a book about the actor, described Dharmendra as “a man of great warmth and humanity.” He added, “He never disappointed anyone who approached him. His simplicity was his greatness.”
As news of his hospitalization circulates, people in these quiet villages are turning their thoughts and prayers toward Mumbai. Temples and gurdwaras echo with wishes for his speedy recovery.
For the people of Malwa, Dharmendra is not merely a film star. He is a symbol of hard work, humility, and deep connection to his roots — a reminder that greatness can emerge from the most modest beginnings.
