Bollywood legend Dharmendra has died in Mumbai at the age of 89, leaving behind a cinematic legacy that spanned decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his passing, saying it “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Known for his humble persona, Dharmendra captured the hearts of millions of fans. He rose to fame as Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay and went on to star in over 300 films, many of them major hits. His on-screen charm, memorable songs, and off-screen romance with Hema Malini made him a household name.
Dubbed the “original He-Man of Bollywood” and affectionately called “Garam Dharam,” he was celebrated as one of the most handsome actors of his time. Admirers included both fans and fellow actors: Madhuri Dixit called him “one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen,” Salman Khan described him as “the most beautiful looking man,” and Jaya Bachchan referred to him as “a Greek God.”
Despite the accolades, Dharmendra often expressed modesty about his looks, attributing his appeal to “nature, my parents and my genes.”
Born Dharam Singh Deol on 8 December 1935 in Nasrali village, Ludhiana district, Punjab, he grew up in a middle-class Jatt-Sikh family before rising to become one of Bollywood’s most enduring icons.
