Veteran actor Dharmendra, who died at 89, had a brief but memorable political career. Inspired by the BJP’s 2004 “India Shining” campaign, he joined the party and contested from Bikaner, winning the Lok Sabha seat by a huge margin. His popularity and charisma secured him a place in the 14th Lok Sabha even as the BJP lost the national election.
However, Dharmendra soon felt disillusioned. Accused of being an “absentee MP” with limited parliamentary attendance, he struggled to adjust to the political environment. Despite criticism, he insisted he worked behind the scenes and stayed connected to his constituency’s needs.
By 2009, he chose not to contest again. He later admitted that politics had emotionally drained him, saying he felt “suffocated” and regretted entering the field. According to Sunny Deol, the experience deeply troubled him.
Dharmendra continued supporting his family’s political roles—Hema Malini as Mathura MP and Sunny Deol in Gurdaspur—but maintained that politics was never meant for him. Even during the 2020 farmer protests, he voiced concern for farmers but withdrew his statement after online backlash.
