Dharmendra’s FORGOTTEN Connection with Bikaner: Why ‘Gumshuda’ posters were put up in the city?

Dharmendra Forgotten Connection With Bikaner: Dharmendra – the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood – passed away on Monday at his Mumbai residence. He was 89 years old. The actor took his last breath following a brief illness. Sadly, the Sholay actor died just days before his 90th birthday on December 8. His last rites were performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium located in Vile Parle, Mumbai. Sunny Deol, Dharmendra’s elder son, performed the Mukhagni ritual. Dharmendra was taken to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after he experienced difficulty breathing. The veteran actor’s demise has sent shockwaves not only through the film industry but across the entire nation. He undoubtedly ruled the hearts of millions with his flawless acting and his gentle, generous nature. Dharmendra, who hailed from Punjab, had a unique connection to Rajasthan. Let’s know more about his forgotten connection with this Rajasthan city.

What Is Dharmendra’s Special Connection With Rajasthan’s Bikaner?

Bollywood veteran actor Dharmendra had a very special connection with Rajasthan’s Bikaner. After achieving milestone after milestone in the film industry, he started his political journey from Bikaner constituency. He not just contested in the election but also defeated the Congress candidate by a landslide. After his major victory, he decided to distance himself from politics and never took part in the elections again.

Dharmendra Became MP From Bikaner In 2004

The ‘He Man’ of Bollywood entered politics in the year 2004 from the Bikaner constituency. He contested from the constituency on the BJP’s ticket and had defeated Congress candidate Rameshwar Dudi.

The actor was then backed by his sons, both Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol campaigned on his behalf in Bikaner. Dharmendra won from the constituency with a landslide victory in his first election. He defeated Rameshwar Dudi by 57,000 votes.

Why Did People Get Angry With Dharmendra?

Dharmendra’s political journey was not easy. A year after winning the election and becoming an MP, ‘Missing’ posters of Dharmendra appeared in Bikaner. This had happened due to the actor’s distance from his constituency. After winning the election, he didn’t visit his constituency for a year. This angered the people of the city, and as a result they put up posters all over the city.

Beautified Sursagar

But after the ‘Missing’ posters incident, Dharmendra realised his mistake and visited his constituency within a few days without security. He also stayed at the Circuit House and listened to people’s grievances.

Not only that, the actor played a key role in restoring the city’s famous Sursagar. He had a conversation with the then-Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and convinced him to restore Sursagar when the budget fell short. He even approached the central government for the restoration of Sursagar.

However, Vasundhara Raje received all the credit for the restoration, and public anger toward Dharmendra remained unabated.

Dharmendra Stepped Away From Politics

The Bollywood Actor, after serving as an MP for five years, announced his retirement from politics and didn’t contest the 2009 polls.

Notably, Dharmendra’s wife – Hema Malini – is a Member of Parliament from Mathura. His elder son Sunny Deol has also served as an MP from Gurdaspur.