Veteran actor Dharmendra passes away at 89
Mumbai : Known as 'He-Man' and fondly called as 'Dharam Paji', the veteran actor Shri Dharmendra passed away earlier today. He was 89-year-old.
The actor breathed his last at his residence; he was battling from age related issues from past couple of weeks. Dharmendra was also admitted to Breach Candy hospital earlier this month due to respiratory complications.
The demise of the actor has left hearts saddened and eyes filled with tears of his fans, colleagues from the industry and family.
Dharmendra debuted in 1960 and rose swiftly to superstardom. Renowned for his versatility, he excelled in everything from romantic leads to rugged action roles. Over the course of his career, he appeared in more than 300 films, many of which are now regarded as classics.
Among his standout roles are his iconic portrayal of Veeru in the legendary film *Sholay*, as well as acclaimed performances in *Phool Aur Patthar*, *Seeta Aur Geeta*, *Chupke Chupke*, *Dharam Veer*, and *Pratigya*. His effortless charm and commanding screen presence won him a massive global fan following.
He received Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, a tribute to his immense contribution to Indian cinema. In 2012, the Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third-highest civilian honour. His most recent appearance was in the 2024 film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, in which he portrayed Shahid Kapoor’s grandfather. He also featured in the blockbuster romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, earning widespread acclaim from both fans and critics. His final film will be Ikkis, starring Agastya Nanda, where Dharmendra once again takes on the role of a grandfather—marking the last performance of his illustrious career.
Dharmendra is survived by his wife, actress Hema Malini, his first wife Prakash Kaur, and his children, including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, as well as daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. His loss will be profoundly felt, but his remarkable body of work will continue to inspire future generations and delight audiences for many years to come.
