The veteran Indian actor, affectionately known as Bollywood’s He-Man and Dharam Paaji, passed away earlier today at the age of 89. His passing leaves behind an unmatched legacy of over six decades.
The actor, born as Dharmendra Singh Deol, breathed his last at his residence. He was admitted to Breach Candy hospital earlier this month due to respiratory complications.
Dharmendra’s passing has sent a wave of sadness across the country, with fans, colleagues, and stars from the industry deeply shocked with the news.
Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 and quickly became a superstar. He was known for his versatility, mastering roles from the romantic hero to the tough action star. His career boasts over 300 films, many of which are considered classics today.
Some of his most memorable performances include the iconic role of Veeru in the cult classic Sholay, as well as memorable performances in Phool Aur Patthar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Chupke Chupke, Dharam Veer, and Pratigya. His natural charm and powerful screen presence earned him millions of fans worldwide.
He was a recipient of the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, which was an honour to his massive contribution to the industry. In 2012, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian award.
He was last seen in the 2024 movie, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. He played the role of Shahid’s grandfather. He also starred in the blockbuster romantic-comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, for which he also received praise from fans and critics alike for his performance.
His last film will be Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda where he plays his grandfather. This film, hence, will go on to be his last film.
Dharmendra is survived by his wife, actress Hema Malini, his first wife Prakash Kaur, and his children, including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. His absence will be deeply felt, but his cinematic work will continue to inspire new generations of actors and entertain audiences for decades to come.
Source: Film Fare
--Agencies
