Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89, closing a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes on X on Monday, describing Dharmendra’s death as “the end of an era.”
Over a career spanning six decades, Dharmendra appeared in more than 300 films, earning acclaim for his versatility in action, romance, comedy, and drama. He is best remembered for his role as Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, one of Bollywood’s most iconic films.
Born on December 8, 1935, in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dharmendra rose from modest beginnings to stardom. After winning a nationwide talent contest, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and made his film debut in 1960. His breakthrough came with Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963, paving the way for decades of box-office hits.
Nicknamed Bollywood’s “original He-Man”, Dharmendra was admired not just for his looks but for his screen presence. His on-screen chemistry with Hema Malini became legendary; the two married in 1980.
Some of his most acclaimed films include Phool Aur Patthar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and the comedy Chupke Chupke. While he never formally held Bollywood’s number-one spot, Dharmendra remained one of the industry’s most respected and enduring figures.
He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2012, cementing his legacy as one of Indian cinema’s true icons.
