He was considered the most handsome star of his era and she was said to be the most beautiful actress. No wonder the jodi of Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore managed to pull in the crowds in droves with every release. They had an easy camaraderie going on screen and complemented each other to a T. What’s more, they share the same birthday, December 8. Celebrating this double bonanza, Filmfare takes a look back at the most celebrated movies, where the golden couple starred together.

Anupama (1966)

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film is considered a classic of Indian cinema and marked an important milestone in the careers of both the director and the lead actress, Sharmila Tagore. The film revolves around Anupama (Sharmila Tagore), a shy and introverted young woman who faces emotional struggles due to her rejection by her father as her mother died during childbirth. The story takes a turn when Anupama meets a kind and understanding man, Ashok (Dharmendra). He brings her out of her shell, helping her realize her own worth. The music of Anupama was composed by Hemant Kumar, with lyrics written by Kaifi Azmi. The soundtrack features the timeless song Ya dil ki suno, sung by the director himself, as well as Kuch dil ne kaha, and Dheere dheere machal, both sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Devar (1966)

It’s an emotional drama directed by Mohan Segal The movie stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, and Raaj Kumar in key roles. The film is based on the short novel Naa by the Bengali writer Tara Shankar Bandopadhyay. The film had the often repeated plot of childhood lovers separated later in life but at the time, its emotional story appealed to the audience, turning it into a hit. Dharmendra starred as a man who goes on a self-destructive spree and Sharmila Tagore played a woman who is hell bent to get justice for her murdered husband. The film had music by Roshan and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. It had some good sad tracks like Aaya hai mujhe phir yaad and Baharon ne mera chaman loot kar, both sung by Mukesh.

Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968)

Directed by Amar Kumar, the film starred Rehman, Mumtaz and Om Prakash besides Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore. The film has all the hallmarks of being a melodramatic thriller, with lost and found moments and other twists aplenty. Dharmendra plays a poor but honest young man who is horrified (yes!) to know that his girlfriend was only pretending to be poor but is actually super rich. Sharmila Tagore spends the rest of the film trying to woo him over once again. Dark revelations kind of derail their relationship but things get alright in the end. The film had music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The musical love story had lovely songs like Chalkaye jaam, Hui shaam unka khayal aa gaya and Na ja kahin ab na ja, sung by Mohammed Rafi, as well as Chalo sajna jahan tak jahan chale and Allah ye ada, sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Satyakam (1969)

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, it features Dharmendra in the titular role. The film is a poignant and powerful drama that explores themes of integrity, honesty, and the struggle to maintain one’s ideals in a corrupt world. It’s based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Narayan Sanyal. It’s said to have one of the finest performances by Dharmendra, who plays a man who sticks for the truth, whatever the circumstances may be. Sharmila Tagore plays a woman who has been raped earlier in life and pines for a sedate life. She has problems with her husband, who is aware of the truth. They somehow fail to lead a contented life, because of his too honest nature and also because of the secret they share. Sanjeev Kumar plays the role of a wordly wise friend who tries to make the protagonist see reason, while Ashok Kumar plays the family elder who finally learns the importance of forgiveness towards the end.

Yakeen (1969)

Much before Don and even The Bourne Identity, came this thriller, directed by Brij Sadanah, about a man posing as his doppelganger. Dharmendra acted as both Rajesh, an innocent man on the run and Garson, the gangster who poses as him. Sharmila Tagore plays Rita, Rakjesh’s love interest, who is pregnant with his child. While the plot is all over the place, the negative role played by Dharmendra, with blue contact lenses and changed voice offered something new to the audience. It’s the most villainous role played by the actor ever.

Chupke Chupke (1975)

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the film is known for its light-hearted plot, clever humor, and exceptional performances from its cast. A remake of the Bengali film Chhadmabeshi, it stars Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David Abraham Cheulkar, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee. Dharmendra plays a professor of Botany called Parimal, who with the help of his friends Sukumar (Amitabh Bachchan) and Prashant (Asrani), wife Sulekha (Sharmila Tagore) and uncle Haripad (David), plays a prank on his brother-in-law Raghav (Om Prakash). One hilarious situation follows the other as Parimal and company try to stretch the joke as long as possible. Both Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan had established themselves as action stars in the ’70s and Chupke Chupke showed that they possess great comic timing as well. Dharmendra and Sharmila gave off newly married couple vibes without resorting to any cheap tactics. It’s a family entertainer which can be enjoyed on a loop even now.

Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975)

This is a rather forgettable formulaic film, directed by Devendra Goel, revolving around mistaken medical reports. Vishal (Dharmendra) and Aruna (Sharmila Tagore) are in love. Aruna gets to know that she might lose her eyesight in six months and breaks off the relationship, without telling Vishal the reason. Sonia (Leena Chandavarkar), falls for Vishal. Later Aruna gets to know she was misdiagnosed but still doesn’t tell Vishal the truth, thinking he’ll be happy with Sonia. Much twists and turns later, ultimately Sonia sacrifices her love to bring together the estranged lovers. The film has hummable songs such as Dekha hai zindagi ko, sung by Kishore Kumar and Dil mein kisi ke pyar ka, sung by both Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. It had music by Ravi and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Sunny (1984)

Directed by Raj Khosla and starring Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Waheeda Rehman, Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh, the film’s story revolves around themes of family, loyalty, and emotional conflict. Inderjeet (Dharmendra) is married to Gayatri (Waheeda Rehman) but is in love with Sitara (Sharmila Tagore). She bears his child, Sunny (Sunny Deol), who is brought up by Gayatri as her own son, after Inderjeet passes away. Sunny falls in love with Amrita (Amrita Singh), who happens to be Sitar’s niece. The film had some lovely music by RD Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. It had memorable songs like Jaane kya baat hai, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Aur kya ahd-e-wafa hote hain, sung by both Suresh Wadkar and Asha Bhosle. This was the last film done together by this golden couple. They were supposed to be cast together in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) but Sharmila’s ill health at the time prevented that. Her role was ultimately essayed by Shabana Azmi.