Celebrating the Life of Dharmendra: Bollywood's Original He-Man

Fri Dec 05 2025 06:48:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Bollywood icon Dharmendra, known as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, has passed away at 89. His remarkable career spanned over six decades, captivating audiences with unforgettable roles, particularly in the classic 'Sholay'.

Dharmendra, revered as one of Bollywood's most beloved actors, died in Mumbai at the age of 89. His passing marks the end of a significant era in Indian cinema. Known for his charismatic screen presence and versatile roles, especially as Veeru in 'Sholay', Dharmendra's career includes over 300 films, a successful marriage with actress Hema Malini, and various accolades recognizing his contributions to cinema.

Bollywood star Dharmendra has died in the Indian city of Mumbai at the age of 89.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor, saying his passing 'marks the end of an era in Indian cinema'.

Dharmendra, who often described himself as 'a simple man', commanded extraordinary affection and loyalty from his tens of millions of fans.

Best known as Veeru, the lovable petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, many hits, captivating audiences for decades.

Songs featuring him topped the charts, and his romance and marriage with Hema Malini made headlines.

Dubbed the 'original He-Man of Bollywood' and 'Garam (hot) Dharam', the actor often made it to global lists of 'most handsome men' in his heyday and female fans were known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows.

Bollywood stars weren't immune to his charms either - actress Madhuri Dixit described him as 'one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen', while superstar Salman Khan said Dharmendra was the 'most beautiful looking man'.

Dharmendra always said he was 'embarrassed' by talk of his good looks and attributed it to 'nature, my parents and my genes'.

Born on 8 December 1935 in Nasrali village in Punjab, he was named Dharam Singh Deol. He won the All India Talent Contest organized by Filmfare magazine, which propelled him into the film world.

Beginning his career in 1960, he quickly rose to prominence, earning acclaim for films such as Bandini (1963) and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), which solidified his status as an action hero.

Over the years, Dharmendra was cast alongside many actresses but his most successful pairing was with Hema Malini, who later became his second wife. Their romance developed through numerous superhit films together, making their eventual marriage in 1980 a significant event in Bollywood.

He briefly dipped into politics as a BJP MP from Bikaner and was known for his reluctance to engage seriously in political affairs.

The actor remained active until the end of his life, appearing in films and reality shows, and engaging with fans on social media.

Dharmendra's legacy is firmly established in the hearts of fans, particularly for his unforgettable role as Veeru in 'Sholay', a film that is cherished as a cultural phenomenon in Indian cinema.

Despite never clinching the coveted 'number one' position in Bollywood, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Filmfare and received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to cinema. At his core, Dharmendra sought not fame, but the love of his audience, saying 'I came here just for this love'.