Dharmendra's political journey was shortlived

For decades, Dharmendra ruled the big screen but in 2004, the star famously swapped movie sets for political rallies and contested the Lok Sabha elections as a BJP candidate from Bikaner, Rajasthan, and won too.

A native of Sahnewal near Ludhiana, Dharmendra’s Punjabi charm struck a chord with voters in Rajasthan. His campaign drew large crowds and plenty of attention — both for his star power and his outspoken remarks.

While the BJP, led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, faced a defeat in the elections, Dharmendra was successful in his electoral debut, defeating Congress candidate Rameshwar Lal Dudi by nearly 60,000 votes.

Once in Parliament, however, the glamour faded quickly.

His attendance was low, and questions were raised about his limited participation in debates.

In a 2008 interview with PTI, Dharmendra spoke about his disenchantment with politics when he shared a piece of advice for films stars.

“I won’t say that coming into politics was a mistake but, yes, an actor should not come into politics as it divides the audience and general acceptance among fans. An actor should always remain an actor. For me, the love and support I got all these years from my fans is the greatest achievement,” Dharmendra said.

Asked about his low attendance in Parliament, the veteran said he was trying to solve issues in his constituency.

“Who says that? I am always in touch with the problems of my constituency. From cleaning up Sur Sagar, a dumping ground in Bikaner, to minimising school fees for children, renovation of the theatre Rangmanch, and building bridges, I am trying to solve each and every problem.

“My office in Bikaner apprises me of the demands of the people on a regular basis. I am from a farmer’s family so I understand their problems. And this is no politics. I am an emotional but a tough person, these criticisms can’t break my intention. I never did anything to grab attention, either in acting or politics,” the actor said in the interview.

His tenure ended in 2009 and he didn’t contest from the seat again.

At a public event in Ludhiana in 2010, the actor expressed regrets over his political foray.