Bollywood superstar Dharmendra dies at 89

Mumbai, Nov 24: Dharmendra, the star who wrote himself into showbiz legend in a 65-year career spanning 300 films ranging from ‘Satyakam’ to ‘Sholay’, died here on Monday, Police said here. He was 89.

The actor, who would have turned 90 on December 8, was not keeping well for a while and was in and out of a Mumbai hospital with the family finally deciding to continue his treatment at home earlier this month.

A Police statement said Dharmendra died this morning, and funeral arrangements are being made at the Pawan Hans crematorium in the Ville Parle suburb of Mumbai.

An ambulance and several cars left Dharmendra’s Juhu residence, and Hema Malini, Esha Deol, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan were seen at the crematorium.

Salman Khan and his father, scriptwriter Salim Khan, were also spotted at the crematorium.

But the family, which had criticised the media for declaring Dharmendra dead earlier this month and requested privacy, has kept quiet so far.

Several media houses had carried reports that Dharmendra had died on November 11, but the actor was discharged the next day and has been treated at home since then.

Born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1934, in Sahnewal, Punjab, Dharmendra rose from modest beginnings to become a towering figure in Indian cinema.

His journey began with the 1960 film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, and from there, he went on to carve an extraordinary path as an actor, producer and cultural icon.

Known for his magnetic screen presence and versatility, he effortlessly moved between action-packed roles, romantic leads and emotional dramas.

Over the years, Dharmendra appeared in classics including Phool aur Patthar, Satyakam, Anupama, Chupke Chupke, Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and the legendary Sholay, where his portrayal of “Veeru” became one of Bollywood’s most beloved performances.

His rugged charm earned him the title “He-Man of Bollywood,” yet he was equally admired for his emotional depth and relatable portrayals.

Dharmendra’s exceptional contributions to cinema were recognised with several prestigious honours. He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award and was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2012, India’s third-highest civilian award.

Industry colleagues often pointed to his longevity and ability to reinvent himself as evidence of his sustained excellence.

As a producer, he launched successful films under his banner and introduced his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol into the industry, further shaping Bollywood’s landscape.

He also briefly entered public service, serving as Member of Parliament for Bikaner (2004-2009) as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Many celebrities, including Karan Johar, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, and Kareena Kapoor, mourned the actor’s death on social media.

“It is an end of an ERA… a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence… he is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… defining and richly present in the pages of cinema history… but mostly he was the best human being… he was so loved by everyone in our industry,” Johar wrote in a post on X.

Kajol shared a post of her son Yug, and the late actor, “The OG of the Good Man is gone, and the world is poorer for it… somehow it seems like we are only losing the good people in it. Kind to the core and loved always. RIP Dharamji... with love always,” she wrote on Instagram.

Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol in Punjab in 1935, enjoyed a remarkable six-decade career, featuring in over 300 films and headlining classics such as ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Satyakam’, ‘Anupama’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, and many others.

He was widely celebrated for his versatility across action, romance, and comedy.

Dharmendra is survived by his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta, Ajeeta, Esha, and Ahana.

A “bonafide legend” of Indian cinema, “an inspiration for generations” and the “original He-Man” is how celebrities, including Akshay Kumar and Allu Arjun, remembered Dharmendra.

Kumar shared a photo of the late cinema star, saying Dharmendra will continue to live on through his movies.

“Growing up, Dharmendra ji was the hero every boy wanted to be... our industry’s original He-Man, thank you for inspiring generations. You’ll live through your movies and the love you spread. Om shanti,” he wrote on X.

Arjun uploaded a photo of the late actor on his Instagram story and wrote, “Deeply saddened to hear the passing of legendary actor #Dharmendra ji. A legend who touched millions of hearts. My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fans.”

Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a series of pictures on her Instagram handle and captioned them, “Forever in power.”

Madhuri Dixit called the actor an “icon who defined grace, strength, and humility.”

“Dharam ji, your loss leaves a void that can never be filled. Your legacy goes beyond the screen, it lives in the love and admiration of millions... Your remarkable body of work, your humility, and your ever-endearing spirit have left an indelible mark on this industry,” she said.

Aamir Khan’s production banner shared a note on his production banner, which read, “You’ll forever remain in our hearts. Dharam ji rest in peace. Team AKP.”

Farhan Akhtar sent his condolences to the Deol family and said Dharmendra will “forever remain irreplaceable”.

“A big, big loss to the entire film world... Thank you for six decades of entertainment. We are fortunate to have experienced your warmth, your kindness, your generosity, your charm, your intensity, and your wit, on and off the screen,” he said.

Manoj Bajpayee said Dharmendra was his parents’ favourite and “one of my childhood heroes”.

“He had a warmth you felt even before he spoke. His dignity, his humour, and the way he carried himself on and off screen left a deep mark on everyone who met him or watched him. Losing him feels personal. His films, his love for people, and the gentle strength he stood for will stay with us,” he posted on Instagram.

Triptii Dimri wrote on her Instagram Stories, “Your Light Lives On.”

Ranveer Singh just shared a picture on his Instagram handle with the late actor.

Suniel Shetty posted, “Strength wrapped in grace. Stardom wrapped in warmth. Heroism wrapped in a pure heart. That’s the legacy of Dharam Paaji. To the world, he was the He-Man. To those who knew him, he was pure warmth.”

Raveena Tandon called Dharmendra a “man with the golden heart”.

“Handsomest man on the silver screen,” she wrote.

Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee said, “Rest in peace, thank you for all the magic you brought to the big screens.”

Varun Dhawan remembered Dharmendra as a “true star, larger than life on screen and just so incredibly kind”.

“Feeling so grateful for the time I spent in your presence,” he said.

Sidharth Malhotra said, “Years of memories and magic, on and off screen... thank you for everything, Dharam sir. My thoughts and prayers with the family.”

Rashmika Mandanna wrote, “A legend has left us… Rest easy, Dharmendra sir.”

Bhumi Pednekar said Dharmendra’s legacy will remain an “integral part of cultural memory forever”.

“We’ve lost a giant of Indian cinema. Dharam Ji, you will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and admirers,” she said.

Rajpal Yadav said, “His journey may have ended, but the love he leaves behind will echo for generations.”

Siddhant Chaturvedi wrote, “Heroes may leave the screen, but legends never leave our hearts.”

Dharmendra’s influence goes beyond cinema.

He embodied an era, a spirit, and a connection with audiences that few could replicate.

His dialogues, songs, and characters remain part of popular memory, and his films continue to inspire generations of artists.

With his passing, Indian cinema has lost one of its brightest stars, but his legacy – built on hard work, humility and unmatched charisma - will live on for generations to come.