When Dharmendra’s picture from his younger days with an Iranian dancer went viral

The image looks straight out of a lively party from the past, a time when film stars lived with a kind of unfiltered ease that rarely appears in today’s tightly controlled celebrity world.

As the photo started circulating online, reactions poured in rapidly. Many users called it a charming reminder of an era when Bollywood lived with wide smiles and little hesitation. Some enjoyed the innocence of the moment, calling it a sweet throwback to Dharmendra’s charismatic prime. Others were surprised to see him in such an intimate pose, especially given the dignified, grandfatherly image he carries today. A few even found the picture distasteful, questioning why such personal moments keep resurfacing decades later.

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Dharmendra’s personal life has always drawn public interest. He married twice. His first marriage was to Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta, and Ajeita. Later, without divorcing Prakash Kaur, he married Hema Malini in 1980. Together, they have two daughters, Esha and Ahana. His second marriage created widespread discussion at the time and remains one of Bollywood’s most-talked-about chapters.

The resurfaced photo taps into that long history. It offers a glimpse of Dharmendra before the responsibilities, before the decades of iconic roles, and before the internet turned every image into a debate. Whether fans see it as a charming memory or a controversial moment, the throwback has once again reminded everyone why Dharmendra continues to remain one of Indian cinema’s most fascinating personalities.