Dharmendra, one of the most beloved stars in Indian cinema and a defining presence in Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s, died Monday in Mumbai at age 89, ending a career that spanned six decades and more than 300 films.
The veteran actor, widely known as Bollywood’s “He-Man” for his combination of action-hero toughness and romantic appeal, had been hospitalised intermittently in Mumbai over recent weeks as his health declined.
A senior police official who had spoken with Dharmendra’s doctor confirmed the death on condition of anonymity, providing verification of the passing of one of Indian cinema’s most enduring stars.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute on social media platform X, writing that Dharmendra’s death “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema,” calling him “an iconic film personality” and “phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played,” recognition that reflects the actor’s significance not merely as an entertainer but as a cultural figure whose work shaped Indian popular culture for generations.
Born in Punjab in 1935, Dharmendra rose to fame after winning a talent competition that launched his path toward cinema, prompting his move to Mumbai where he made his film debut in 1960 at age 25, beginning a career that would span more than six decades and establish him as one of the most durable stars in an industry known for rapid turnover of popular actors.
Nicknamed Bollywood’s “He-Man” for his muscular physique and action-oriented roles that contrasted with the more refined romantic leads common in earlier Indian cinema, Dharmendra became a household name throughout India for his distinctive screen presence combining physical prowess with romantic charm that appealed to both male and female audiences. He appeared in more than 300 films across six decades, demonstrating remarkable longevity in an industry where most stars fade after 10 to 15 years of prominence.
His role as Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster “Sholay” cemented his status as one of the industry’s biggest stars. “Sholay,” often cited as one of the greatest Indian films ever made, became a cultural phenomenon that remains widely referenced and quoted decades after its release, and Dharmendra’s portrayal of the charming, reckless Veeru alongside co-star Amitabh Bachchan created one of Indian cinema’s most memorable screen partnerships.
Dharmendra also became widely known for his on-screen partnership, and later marriage, with actress Hema Malini, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated leading ladies. Their pairing in multiple films created box-office magic that fans followed closely, and their personal relationship, which developed during their professional collaborations, became a subject of intense public interest that persists decades later.
In 2012, Dharmendra received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema spanning decades of work that helped define popular entertainment for generations of Indians. The award acknowledged not merely his commercial success but his artistic impact and cultural significance.
He also briefly entered politics, serving as a Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker in Parliament from 2004 to 2009, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan. Though his political stint proved short-lived, lasting only one term before he chose not to seek re-election, it reflected his status as a public figure whose fame extended beyond entertainment into broader civic life.
Dharmendra continued acting well into his later years, remaining professionally active rather than retiring despite advancing age and health challenges. He was last seen in the war biopic “Ikkis,” demonstrating his commitment to his craft even as younger generations of actors came to dominate Bollywood.
He is survived by his two wives, children including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol who followed him into Bollywood careers and achieved significant success in their own right, and grandchildren who represent the third generation of a family dynasty in Indian cinema.
Dharmendra’s death closes a chapter in Indian cinema history, removing one of the last surviving major stars from Bollywood’s golden era of the 1970s when the industry produced some of its most enduring and commercially successful films. His six-decade career spanned dramatic shifts in Indian filmmaking from the studio system era through the modern corporate-backed production model, whilst he maintained relevance across generational changes in audience tastes and industry practices.
