Dharmendra’s Timeless Bond With Nangal: A Cinematic Legacy Carved by Roots, Family, and a Lakeside Classic

Dharmendra’s association with Nangal runs deep — a bond enriched by ancestry, affection, and cinema. For the legendary Bollywood actor, Nangal felt like home, thanks to his family’s roots in Dehlan village on the Himachal border. This connection found its most memorable expression in 1970, when he chose the tranquil Nangal Dam lake and the Satluj Sadan rest house as key filming locations for his much-loved film “Jheel Ke Us Paar.”

A photograph from the shoot shows Dharmendra at the BBMB rest house by the Satluj, capturing the quiet charm of the place during the making of the film.

In the movie, Dharmendra played an impassioned painter, and several iconic scenes — including the beloved moment where he sketches actress Mumtaz — were filmed along the shimmering Nangal lake beside the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s Satluj Sadan. At a time when entertainment options were few and television had barely entered households, the arrival of film stars created a wave of excitement. Thousands gathered along the lakeside, turning Satluj Sadan into a festive hub as locals flocked to watch the shooting.

Retired BBMB engineer Charan Das Pardesi fondly recalls rushing to the sets whenever he could, even taking days off to witness the filming. Dharmendra stayed at the NFL guest house during his time in Nangal, accompanied by Mumtaz and actress Yogita Bali. Former Talwara sarpanch Gurbaksh Rai Verma remembers that his mustard fields were used for a key scene. Ashok Saini, a long-time resident of Nangal, shares that Dharmendra’s frequent visits were also driven by his strong family ties with Dehlan. The actor’s sister was married to teacher Vikram Singh Dehal, son of former Punjab Police SHO Sher Singh Dehal. Because of this, Dharmendra would often visit relatives in Nangal’s M-Block and meet a Junior Engineer friend in E-Block during shoots.

The film’s evergreen songs — “Chal Chalein Dil Kahin Jheel Ke Us Paar” and the Punjabi classic “Babul Tere Bagaan Di Main Bulbul” — showcased the spellbinding beauty of the Nangal Dam region, from the gentle ripples of the Satluj to the majestic presence of the Bhakra Dam. These visuals not only elevated the film’s charm but also gave Nangal a distinct identity as a picturesque filming destination.

Though many productions have filmed in the region since, the memories of Dharmendra and Mumtaz shooting in Nangal remain etched in the hearts of the older generation. Locals still speak of Dharmendra’s humility, warm smile, and unmistakable Punjabi zest — traits that made him beloved far beyond the screen.

Today, as fans remember the legendary actor, Nangal holds on to those golden moments when its serene landscapes became part of Dharmendra’s cinematic journey — and when the star, in turn, left a lasting imprint on the valley that embraced him as its own.