Dharmendra, one of Bollywood’s most enduring and beloved actors, has died at the age of 89.
Born Dharam Singh Deol in rural Punjab, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most recognisable faces of Indian cinema. After winning a talent contest in 1960, he moved to Mumbai and quickly established himself as a leading romantic hero, making his debut in ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’. Over the next six decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and became known for his remarkable versatility, effortlessly shifting between action, comedy, emotional dramas and later character roles.
He remains best remembered for the 1975 classic ‘Sholay’, where his portrayal of the charismatic Veeru alongside Amitabh Bachchan created one of Bollywood’s most iconic screen pairings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, calling his passing “the end of an era” and praising his charm, warmth and ability to connect with millions.
Dharmendra also served as a BJP MP from 2004 to 2009, balancing politics with his ongoing film commitments. His personal life often drew public attention. With his first wife, Prakash Kaur, he had four children, including actors Sunny and Bobby Deol. His much-admired onscreen chemistry with Hema Malini blossomed into a real-life romance, and the two married in 1980. Together, they had two daughters, one of whom also followed him into the film world.
In recognition of his immense contribution to cinema, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2012. He continued to act well into his late 80s, with his final film, ‘Ikkis’, scheduled for release next month.
Following the news of his death, crowds of emotional fans gathered outside his residence and the crematorium, many heartbroken that they could not get an ‘antim darshan’ (final glimpse). A host of industry stalwarts attended the funeral at Pawan Hans Crematorium, including Amitabh Bachchan, Salim Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and many others who came to honour the legendary actor’s memory.
