Bollywood star Dharmendra has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, calling his death “the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Known as a “simple man” by himself, Dharmendra captured the hearts of millions. Best remembered as Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, delivering hits across romance, action, thrillers, and comedy. His songs topped the charts, and his romance with Hema Malini made headlines.
Dubbed the “original He-Man of Bollywood” and “Garam Dharam,” Dharmendra was admired globally for his looks and charisma. Stars like Madhuri Dixit, Salman Khan, and Jaya Bachchan praised his charm and presence on screen. Despite this, he humbly attributed his good looks to “nature, my parents, and my genes.”
Born Dharam Singh Deol on 8 December 1935 in Punjab, he fell in love with films during school. Winning the All India Talent Contest by Filmfare launched his Bollywood journey. After debuting with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere in 1960, he quickly rose to fame. His breakthrough came with Bandini (1963), and he cemented his action star status with Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971).
Dharmendra’s on-screen pairing with Hema Malini became iconic, and they eventually married in 1980. He also briefly served as a BJP MP from Bikaner (2005–2009), admitting he was better suited for films than politics.
Among his many roles, Veeru in Sholay remains legendary, earning him the title of the “soul of Sholay.” Though he never claimed the “number one” spot, Dharmendra was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and India’s Padma Bhushan in 2012.
Dharmendra stayed humble throughout his life, focusing on his craft and the love of his fans. Tributes from the film fraternity poured in, with Akshay Kumar calling him “the hero every boy wanted to be” and Karan Johar describing his passing as “the end of an era.”
#Dharmendra #BollywoodLegend #Sholay #Veeru #HemaMalini #BollywoodIcons #RIPDharmendra #IndianCinema #ClassicBollywood #BollywoodForever #Filmfare #PadmaBhushan
