Dharmendra launched both of his sons in films: Sunny Deol in Betaab and Bobby Deol in Barsaat (1995). He also launched his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005). Dharmendra is a great fan of the singer and actor Suraiya. In an interview, he revealed to have watched her film ‘Dillagi’ (1949) more than 40 times, after walking several miles on foot to the nearest cinema hall in his hometown, Sahnewal. He also attended her funeral, when she died in 2004.