Dharmendra, one of the most beloved and influential figures in Hindi cinema history, has died in Mumbai at the age of 89, prompting an outpouring of tributes across India and beyond.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the condolences, saying the Bollywood icon’s death ‘marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.’
Often referring to himself as ‘a simple man,’ Dharmendra was revered for both his screen presence and his humility, earning fierce loyalty from tens of millions of fans.
He appeared in more than 300 films and became synonymous with the role of Veeru, the charming petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay.
His songs topped music charts, his romance with actress Hema Malini dominated headlines, and his larger-than-life screen persona earned him nicknames such as the ‘original He-Man of Bollywood.’
Madhuri Dixit once called him ‘one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen,’ while Salman Khan described him as the ‘most beautiful looking man.’
Dharmendra, one of the most beloved and influential figures in Hindi cinema history, has died in Mumbai at the age of 89, prompting an outpouring of tributes across India and beyond
Jaya Bachchan, meanwhile, referred to him as ‘a Greek God.’
Despite the acclaim, Dharmendra insisted he felt ’embarrassed’ by attention to his looks, attributing it simply to ‘nature, my parents and my genes.’
Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram on Monday morning to pay homage to the late legend.
‘In the year 2001, my first signing amount in the movies came from Vijayta Films,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘One of the first Hindi movies I ever shot was under his banner, with his eldest son. Him and his family, made me feel welcome in the industry, at a time when no one knew me.’
She continued: ‘Very few people are capable of that kind of warmth and grace, towards a complete newcomer, from Bareilly, who didn’t know anyone in Mumbai.’
‘This feels personal, and I know I share that feeling with many others in the world,’ she concluded. ‘Some people leave behind films, some leave behind feelings. He has left us with both. His presence was magnetic. He filled up a frame with his smile and charisma like only he could. This is a big loss for cinema, but his legacy is permanent.’
She noted that she has known the Deol family since the start of her career and worked on multiple projects with his sons.
Punjab, he grew up in a middle-class Jatt-Sikh family where his father worked as a schoolteacher.
Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram on Monday morning to pay homage to the late legend; seen with Dharmendra and Bobby Deol in 2011
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the condolences, saying the Bollywood icon’s death ‘marks the end of an era in Indian cinema’ (seen with President Pratibha Patil in 2012)
In a 2018 interview with BBC Hindi, he admitted his family initially opposed his film dreams.
‘I watched my first film when I was in the ninth standard and I was hooked. I was wondering, where is this heaven where all these beautiful people live? I thought I must find my way there. I felt like they were mine and I belonged to them.’
When he told his parents of his ambition, their response was hesitant.
‘My mother said, “You are our eldest child, you have family responsibilities.” I was very sad… We didn’t think I would be selected.’
But fate intervened when he won the All India Talent Contest organised by Filmfare, prompting his move to Bombay, now Mumbai, and the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Often referring to himself as ‘a simple man,’ Dharmendra was revered for both his screen presence and his humility, earning fierce loyalty from tens of millions of fans; seen in 2010
He made his screen debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere and went on to dominate Bollywood for over three decades, delivering multiple box-office successes each year.
He quickly became a romantic leading man, paired with legends such as Nutan, Meena Kumari, Mala Sinha and Saira Banu, before transitioning into action roles.
His first action film, Phool Aur Patthar (1966), paved the way for Mera Gaon Mera Desh in 1971.
His most iconic screen partnership came with Hema Malini, who later became his second wife.
The two met in 1965, where she made an immediate impression. In her 2017 biography, Malini recalled overhearing him say in Punjabi: ‘Kudi badi changi hai (The girl is quite pretty).’
He appeared in more than 300 films and became synonymous with the role of Veeru, the charming petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay
Their on-screen chemistry in hits such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani and Sholay translated into real-life romance, despite Dharmendra already being married to his first wife, Prakash Kaur, with whom he had grown-up children.
After public scrutiny and reported family resistance, the pair married in 1980. Claims they had converted to Islam to allow polygamy were later denied by the actor.
Beyond films, Dharmendra briefly ventured into politics, serving as BJP MP for Bikaner from 2005 to 2009. He later admitted he struggled with the role.
‘Politics is not for emotional people, it’s for the thick-skinned,’ he said on Aap Ki Adalat. ‘These five years were very tough for me, they were difficult.’
Even in later years, he continued working, appearing alongside sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, judging reality shows and engaging fans through social media.
