Dharmendra (8th Dec 1935 ) is the first 'He-Man' of Hindi cinema. He was labelled He-Man after the release of 'Phool Aur Pathar' in 1966. This film was a huge hit and established him a star in Bollywood. It took him 6 years and 20 films to be recognised in the Industry. His first film 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere' was released in 1960.
In this film Dharmendra removes his shirt, not to show his packs but to cover an old poor woman lying on a street. There was another scene in the film in which Dharmendra in shirtless gently covers the sleeping Meena Kumari with a blanket. With just this scene Dharmendra became the symbol of masculinity and virility in Hindi Cinema.
Interestingly, Dharmendra removed his shirt first time in the film Shola Aur Shabnam but that time no one noticed his masculinity. The film was a hit but nobody knew that time he would be the future He-Man.
Before him, Dara Singh had the distinction of going shirtless for nearly all his films. It was mandatory for Dara Singh to expose in every film poster as he was the undisputed wrestling champ of India. Those days Bollywood actors were not always known for their bodies, the primary focus was on their acting skills which dominated the screen.
When we look back to see the old heroes shown shirtless the first film comes in my mind is Mr & Mrs 55 in which Guru Dutt actually makes his first cameo–as a shirtless fisherman.The most famous Shirtless was Dharmendra in Phool Aur Pathar.Dharmendra wrote in his biography that Phool Aur Pathar was the Sholay of that time. After this film, he was offered action-packed roles. Aankhen(1968) in which he played a James Bond type role was a super hit. Another worth mentioning film was Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
Manmohan Desai was so impressed by his personality, he made a film Dharam Veer with him in which not only his chest but also his thighs were shown. After this film, he was renamed as Garam Dharm.
The smitten audience dotingly showered him with nicknames like “Action King” , " Garam Dharam", and “He-Man” majorly for his super hit roles in action movies. People were hooked to his fighting scenes. Dharmendra has bagged multiple hits on the box office, but one of the most loved movies of his is “Sholay” which was released in 1975.
Dharmendra went on to star in a number of action films between 1976–84, including Dharam Veer, Charas, Azaad, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Ghazab, Rajput, Bhagawat, Jaani Dost, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Main Intequam Loonga, Jeene Nahi Doonga, Hukumat and Raaj Tilak. He worked with Jeetendra in Dharmveer, Samraat, Burning Train, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Kinara, Dharam Karma, Nafrat Ki Aandhi. He also played con man or as gangster in Shalimar, Qayamat, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Jhuta Sach, Sitamgar, Professor Pyarelal and Phandebaaz.