Bollywood icon Dharmendra, whose six-decade career and extraordinary charm made him one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars, has died in Mumbai at the age of 89. His passing prompted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to state that it “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Dharmendra commanded unparalleled affection from millions of fans. Dubbed the “original He-Man of Bollywood,” he was celebrated for his handsome looks, with female fans known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows. Yet, the actor remained humble, often attributing his appeal to “nature, my parents and my genes.”
Born Dharam Singh Deol in a Punjabi village, he won a national talent contest and moved to Mumbai against his family’s wishes, dreaming of the “heaven” he had seen on screen. He made his film debut in 1960 and went on to star in over 300 movies, effortlessly transitioning from a romantic hero in films like Bandini to an action star in Phool Aur Patthar and Sholay.
It was his role as the lovable rogue Veeru in the 1975 classic Sholay that cemented his status as a cultural icon, a role he later described as his finest. His successful on-screen pairing with Hema Malini blossomed into a real-life romance, and they married in 1980, a union that captivated the nation.
Despite delivering countless hits, Dharmendra remained detached from the industry’s rat race. “I never wanted to be number one,” he once said. “All I ever wanted was people’s love.”
Tributes poured in from across the film industry, with actor Akshay Kumar noting, “Growing up, Dharmendra was the hero every boy wanted to be.” Director Karan Johar called his passing the “end of an era,” leaving “a gaping hole in the industry… there will always be one and only Dharmendra.”
By James Kisoo
