Dharmendra was born in Sahnewal, Ludhiana, and named Dharam Singh Deol by his family. But after entering the world of cinema, he became known to the nation as Dharmendra.
Dharmendra always cherished a deep emotional bond with his birthplace. He often said that the soil of Punjab had given him more than anything else in life—that his identity came from the land where he was born, and he remained its son forever. Whenever he visited Ludhiana, he made it a point to stop in Sahnewal, revisit his ancestral home, and meet the people he grew up around.
His transformation from Dharam Singh Deol to Dharmendra began in Ludhiana itself. After watching a Dilip Kumar film at Minerva Cinema, he felt a powerful urge to become an actor—a dream that eventually took him from Ludhiana to Mumbai.
Roots in Sahnewal
Dharmendra’s family originally lived in Nasrali village in Ludhiana district but had shifted to Sahnewal before his birth. He was born there on December 8, 1935. His father, Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, worked as a teacher at Lalton Government School, where Dharmendra also received his primary education.
Growing up, he studied under his father, often recalling—sometimes with a smile—that his father did not hesitate to discipline him. After completing Class 10 at Lalton School, he moved to Phagwara, Kapurthala, to live with his aunt and continue his studies.
Dharmendra’s Name on the School’s Star Board
At Government Senior Secondary School, Lalton, Dharmendra’s name shines at the top of the “Chhamakte Sitare” (Glittering Stars) board. He had enrolled in the school in 1945. Former principal Pradeep Sharma located his name in the old records and ensured it was added to the school’s honour board.
Early Days at Ludhiana’s Cinemas
Dharmendra often travelled from Sahnewal to Ludhiana to watch films. In those days, the city had only a few cinemas. The first film he ever watched—Dilip Kumar’s Shaheed—was at Minerva Cinema. He also frequented Rekhi Cinema, both located near the Clock Tower. Today, Minerva has been replaced by a shopping complex, while Rekhi Cinema lies abandoned.
An Emotional Return to His Ancestral Home
The house where Dharmendra spent his childhood in Sahnewal still stands, though it has since changed hands. When he last visited a few years ago, he became emotional as he walked through the familiar lanes, met old residents, and revisited memories from his early years. Inside the house, he found his father’s old chair—an object that instantly transported him to the past and brought tears to his eyes.
Memories of Sahnewal: From Railway Station to Carrot Barfi
Sahnewal Railway Station held a special place in his heart. As a young boy dreaming of Mumbai, he would watch departing trains and imagine himself aboard one, heading toward the world of films.
Dharmendra also fondly remembered the warmth of moments spent with his grandparents and, famously, the taste of Sadhu Halwai’s carrot barfi. He mentioned the barfi many times over the years, recalling how its sweetness had become one of the defining flavours of his childhood.