Dharmendra’s Landmark Year: 1973
For actor Dharmendra, the year 1973 stands out as one of the most remarkable periods in cinematic history. While other years in his career, such as 1973 itself, and those of Amitabh Bachchan in 1978 and 1981, are noteworthy, Dharmendra’s achievements in 1973 remain exceptional. Rajesh Khanna in 1970 and Jeetendra in 1980 also deserve recognition, yet they may not reach the same heights as the aforementioned actors.
Success at the Box Office
In 1973, Dharmendra starred in eight films, with only one—*Blackmail*—underperforming at the box office, although it still managed to attract attention in larger markets. Notably, all of his films were primarily solo hero projects, with *Yaadon Ki Baaraat* featuring some newcomers alongside him.
Out of the eight films, seven were hits, with four achieving major success. One example is *Keemat*, which, despite its mediocre content, grossed a significant share of 58.40 lakhs in its first six months across India. At that time, this figure was referred to as “billing.” By January 1979, this billing had increased to 81 lakhs, as the film continued to perform well in regions such as West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Central Provinces, Berar, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. Although *Keemat* initially performed worse than *Jheel Ke Us Paar* and *Jwar Bhata*, it ultimately surpassed them in total earnings.
Impact of Dharmendra’s Reach
Despite some films being criticized for their quality, they still achieved commercial success, particularly those released between 1965 and 1975. The concept of “reach” is often discussed in today’s context, but Dharmendra’s extensive appeal translated into strong box office collections, even in smaller towns. His films were not limited to action genres; titles like *Mere Hamdam Mere Dost*, *Izzat*, and *Resham Ki Dori* also enjoyed popularity.
List of Dharmendra’s 1973 Film Releases
- *Jugnu* – Blockbuster
- *Yaadon Ki Baaraat* – Blockbuster
- *Loafer* – Super Hit
- *Kahani Kismat Ki* – Super Hit
- *Keemat* – Hit
- *Jheel Ke Us Paar* – Hit
- *Jwar Bhata* – Hit
- *Blackmail* – Below Average
