Bollywood veteran Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated and admired stars, has died in Mumbai at the age of 89.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, saying the actor’s death “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Known widely as Bollywood’s “He-Man,” Dharmendra enjoyed a six-decade career and appeared in more than 300 films. Fans across generations adored him for his rugged charm, warmth, and unforgettable performances — especially as Veeru, the cheeky, lovable criminal in the 1975 classic Sholay, a role he often called his finest.
Dharmendra was born Dharam Singh Deol in 1935 in Punjab’s Ludhiana district. Drawn to films as a teenager, he won a talent contest held by Filmfare magazine, leading him to Bombay (now Mumbai), where his acting journey began. He rose to fame with Bimal Roy’s Bandini (1963), becoming a popular romantic lead before emerging as an action hero in hits like Phool Aur Patthar (1966) and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971).
Renowned for doing his own stunts, Dharmendra showcased versatility across romance, action, comedy, and thrillers — earning praise for his comic timing in Chupke Chupke (1975).
His on-screen pairing with Hema Malini, with whom he later married, became hugely successful through the 1970s. Their relationship, often in the spotlight due to Dharmendra’s previous marriage, remained one of Bollywood’s most talked-about love stories.
Despite his superstar status, Dharmendra never chased rankings or awards, saying he valued affection from audiences more than accolades. He eventually received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012.
Beyond films, Dharmendra briefly entered politics, serving as a BJP MP from 2005 to 2009, though he later admitted he felt like a “misfit” in public life.
He continued acting well into later years, often sharing the screen with his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and frequently engaging with fans on social media.
Tributes flooded social platforms following the news of his death.
Actor Akshay Kumar wrote, “Growing up, Dharmendra was the hero every boy wanted to be.”
Filmmaker Karan Johar called his passing “the end of an era” and said the industry would never be able to fill the void he left behind.
Dharmendra remains remembered as one of Bollywood’s most enduring icons — a star who inspired millions and defined an age of Hindi cinema.
Source: BBC.com
