Dharmendra was paid Rs 51 as signing amount for his 1st film, heres what he did with the money

Mumbai: Legendary actor Dharmendra would have turned 90 years old today. Unfortunately, he passed away, leaving his loved ones with a void that might take ages to fill. 

Bollywood's beloved 'He-Man' once revealed he was given Rs 51 as the signing amount for his 1st film. He shared the information candidly when he appeared on Salman Khan's game show 10 Ka Dum with his son Sunny Deol. The actor also revealed how he spent that money. 

The father-son duo won Rs 1 lakh. It was then that Salman asked him what Rs 1 lakh meant to him when he moved from Punjab to Mumbai to become an actor. The actor instantly told Salman that the value of a lakh was bigger than it is today. The host then asked him about his first-ever salary. He then told Salman about the signing amount for his first film. 

 "Rs 3,500–7,000 aisa tha kuch… par usse pehle ek aur film mili thi, Arjun Hingorani ki (I got something around ₹3,500–7,000 but before that I had got another film that of Arjun Hingorani). There were three partners, and I was sitting at the side of the cabin, thinking I’ll get at least ₹5,000. But they gave just ₹51 as a signing amount," said Dharmendra. He then shared that he used the money to buy alcohol to celebrate with his friends. 

He stated, "When we had our first peg, I used a handkerchief to hold the glass so that it wouldn't get my fingerprints. I thought if the police caught me, my career would be over. By the third peg, I left the handkerchief.”

Dharmendra made his debut in Bollywood with his 1960 movie Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. It was directed by Arjun Hingorani. The actor then went on to mesmerise the audience with his performances in Ayee Milan Ki Bela and Aaye Din Bahar Ke. Gradually, he became the star we all know today.

Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 on November 24, 2025.