Indian cinema mourns Dharmendra’s death as tributes pour in for the legendary actor, who died in Mumbai at 89
Bollywood legend Dharmendra died in Mumbai on Wednesday at the age of 89, prompting a profound outpouring of grief across India’s film and political circles.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, describing Dharmendra’s death as marking the end of an era in Indian cinema.
Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol in Nasrali village in Punjab in 1935, rose from modest beginnings to become one of India’s most adored screen stars.
He appeared in more than 300 films over a career spanning six decades and became beloved for his charm, versatility and unassuming nature.
The actor achieved enduring fame as Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, a cultural phenomenon that cemented his position as one of Bollywood’s most charismatic performers.
His portrayal of the witty, warm-hearted outlaw became a defining moment in Hindi cinema, with audiences often crediting him as the soul of the film.
Tributes from colleagues reflected his extraordinary appeal. Actress Madhuri Dixit once called him “one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen”, while Salman Khan praised him as the “most beautiful looking man”.
Dharmendra, who disliked attention to his looks, frequently insisted he owed everything to “nature, my parents and my genes”.
His rise began after winning a nationwide talent contest, a victory that took him to Bombay in the late 1950s.
He gained early acclaim with Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963 before establishing himself as a romantic and later action hero in films such as Phool Aur Patthar and Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
Critics also celebrated his impeccable comic timing in the 1975 hit Chupke Chupke.
Dharmendra’s on-screen chemistry with actress Hema Malini captivated audiences through a series of successful films in the 1970s.
Their relationship, scrutinised intensely by the media, culminated in marriage in 1980.
They later worked together in film production and remained one of Bollywood’s most recognisable couples.
Beyond cinema, Dharmendra briefly served as a Bharatiya Janata Party MP for Bikaner from 2005 to 2009.
He later admitted that public office had been a difficult fit, saying politics required a thick skin he did not possess.
Despite advancing age, he continued working in films and television and maintained a close connection with fans through social media.
His last years included public appearances alongside his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, both prominent actors.
Tributes flowed rapidly after news of his death, with actor Akshay Kumar calling him “the hero every boy wanted to be”.
Director Karan Johar said his passing had left “a gaping hole in the industry… a space that can never be filled”.
Dharmendra, often dubbed Bollywood’s “original He-Man”, leaves behind an enduring legacy in Indian cinema, defined by warmth, resilience, and a lifelong bond with his audience.
