By Dipak Kurmi
Bollywood awoke to a profound silence on November 24, 2025, as news spread that Dharmendra, the beloved “He-Man” of Indian cinema, had breathed his last at the age of 89 in Mumbai. His passing came just days before his 90th birthday on December 8, closing the curtain on a life that had shaped the soul of Hindi cinema for more than six decades. For millions who grew up watching his films, Dharmendra was not merely an actor; he was an emotion carved in celluloid, a symbol of kindness, masculinity, vulnerability, and enduring charm. His departure marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Indian film history, one whose influence cannot be measured in mere numbers or accolades but in the hearts he touched and the legacy he defined.
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in the quiet village of Nasrali in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, he emerged from the most modest of beginnings. His father, Kewal Krishan, served as the headmaster of Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, grounding young Dharmendra in discipline and simplicity. Educated first in his father’s school and later completing his matriculation from Phagwara in 1952, Dharmendra grew up amidst the earthy rhythms of rural Punjab. At 19, he married Prakash Kaur in 1954, years before films would claim him, and the couple would raise four children—Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta—whose lives would be intertwined with cinema in their own ways.
Fate intervened when Dharmendra sent his photographs to Filmfare magazine’s nationwide talent contest. He won, and that triumph brought him to Mumbai with dreams, hope, and the quiet confidence of a man who had weathered hardship. Although the first film he was selected for never materialized, destiny opened another door. His screen debut came in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s romantic drama Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. The film went unnoticed commercially, but Dharmendra’s presence glimmered with promise. That promise unfolded quickly with early successes like Shola Aur Shabnam in 1961, Anpadh in 1962, and Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. With each performance, his acting matured, revealing both the emotional nuance and physical grace that would soon define his career.
The year 1964 saw the tides turn decisively in his favor. In Ayee Milan Ki Bela, he portrayed an antagonist with such magnetic impact that audiences were captivated rather than repelled, earning him a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In the same year, the war drama Haqeeqat—based on the Sino-Indian conflict—became a landmark film. Its patriotic anthem Kar Chale Hum Fida still echoes in the national consciousness, and Dharmendra’s performance resonated with rare sincerity. These early triumphs laid the foundation for a career that would soon scale unprecedented heights.
Dharmendra’s true ascent began in 1966 with Phool Aur Patthar, where his chemistry with Meena Kumari electrified audiences. The film topped the box office and gave him his first Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare Awards. It also marked the arrival of a new kind of leading man—rugged, righteous, and irresistibly charismatic. Roles in Mamta, Devar, Anupama, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke that followed cemented his versatility, with Anupama earning him recognition at the 14th National Film Awards for his sensitive portrayal of a man caught in emotional conflict.
By the late 1960s, Dharmendra had become one of the most bankable stars in Hindi cinema. In 1968, Shikar and Ankhen emerged as runaway blockbusters, with Ankhen becoming the year’s top-grossing film. His powerful performance in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam in 1969 remains widely regarded as his career’s finest. Even critics who rarely praised mainstream heroes conceded that Satyakam revealed an actor of tremendous depth, courage, and moral clarity. At a time when Rajesh Khanna’s superstardom overshadowed the careers of many contemporaries, Dharmendra—along with Dev Anand—stood firm, unaffected by shifting trends and public frenzies.
The 1970s marked his golden era. In 1970, he delivered a series of celebrated films, including the hit Jeevan Mrityu. It was also during this phase that he began his legendary on-screen partnership with Hema Malini. Films like Tum Haseen Main Jawan and Sharafat showcased their sparkling chemistry. Yet 1971’s Mera Gaon Mera Desh proved a watershed moment, transforming Dharmendra into the industry’s premier action star. The film’s massive success triggered a shift in Bollywood from dreamy romances to action narratives, with Dharmendra leading the charge.
In 1972, Seeta Aur Geeta reaffirmed his superstardom. But 1973 became a career-defining year, delivering an extraordinary lineup of blockbusters—Loafer, Jugnu, Jheel Ke Us Paar, Kahani Kismat Ki, and the cultural milestone Yaadon Ki Baaraat, often regarded as the first true masala film in Indian cinema. The momentum carried him into what would become the most iconic role of his life.
In 1975, Sholay arrived—a film that would rewrite the history of Indian cinema. Although its early days were lukewarm, word-of-mouth transformed it into a phenomenon. Dharmendra’s Veeru became immortal, his comic timing, romantic charm, and emotional sincerity turning him into a household name across India. With 60 golden jubilees, record-breaking footfalls, and a five-year uninterrupted run at Bombay’s Minerva Theatre, Sholay was not just a film; it was an experience that defined cinematic culture for generations.
Even as the industry evolved in the late 1970s and 1980s, Dharmendra remained unshaken. Dharam Veer in 1977 became a sensation, especially in the Soviet Union where it sold an astounding 32 million tickets. In 1987, he achieved a feat unmatched in Bollywood history—eight successful films in a single year, among them Hukumat, the year’s biggest hit. Combined with his seven hits in 1973, Dharmendra became the only actor to deliver seven or more successful films in a year twice, underscoring his long-standing audience appeal.
His personal life, often the subject of public curiosity, was as layered as his films. His second marriage to Hema Malini, after he moved to Bombay, invited controversy and speculation about religious conversion. Dharmendra always maintained his Hindu identity, and despite public scrutiny, he and Hema Malini shared a dignified relationship that produced two daughters, Esha and Ahana. Remarkably, the extended Deol family navigated its complexity with grace, avoiding public discord and maintaining mutual respect across both households.
The 1990s saw Dharmendra evolving with the times. While leading roles became fewer, he embraced character roles with conviction. His appearance in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya in 1998 marked a smooth transition. In 2007, he delivered acclaimed performances in Life in a Metro, Apne, and Johnny Gaddaar, showcasing his adaptability and undiminished talent. Even in his eighties, he continued to charm audiences. His tender portrayal in 2023’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, particularly the nostalgic rendition of Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar, left viewers teary-eyed. In 2024, he appeared in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which became a commercial success, and his final film, Ikkis—based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal—will release posthumously on December 25, 2025.
Beyond acting, Dharmendra was a visionary producer. He founded Vijayta Films in 1983, launching his son Sunny Deol with Betaab, the second highest-grossing film of that year. He later produced the iconic Ghayal in 1990, which won seven Filmfare Awards and the National Film Award for Best Popular Film. In 1995, he produced Barsaat, then the costliest Indian film ever made, successfully launching Bobby Deol. His business acumen proved as sharp as his on-screen instincts.
Dharmendra’s influence extended into politics as well. As a BJP Member of Parliament representing Bikaner from 2004 to 2009, he gained attention for his star value though his parliamentary attendance was criticized. Yet, his love for farming and rural life remained constant, grounding him even as fame surrounded him. He also explored television, serving as a judge on India’s Got Talent in 2011 and making his TV acting debut in Taj: Divided by Blood in 2023.
Accolades came steadily. The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 brought him to tears, as he lamented never winning Best Actor despite his many classics. Dilip Kumar famously said God’s only error was not making him as handsome as Dharmendra. In 2012, the Padma Bhushan honored his unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. Critics, too, recognized his enduring legacy; Outlook India included him among the “75 Best Bollywood Actors,” and Rediff ranked him among the top ten of all time.
His colleagues adored him. Salman Khan called him the only person he followed besides his father and the most beautiful man he had ever seen. Jaya Bachchan admitted she hid behind a sofa when she first saw him, calling him a Greek god. Zeenat Aman described him as strikingly handsome and warm, while Madhuri Dixit said he was one of the most handsome men ever to grace the screen. Their admiration reflected not only his looks but the kindness that defined him.
Dharmendra’s final months were marked by fragile health. Between 2015 and 2020, he battled repeated ailments. In 2025, he underwent corneal transplant surgery. On October 31, he was hospitalized with breathing issues, stabilized, then readmitted on November 10 as his condition worsened. False news of his death spread on November 11, prompting widespread but premature condolences. His family clarified the truth, calling the misinformation unacceptable. He was discharged on November 12 but passed away peacefully at home twelve days later.
As Bollywood gathered at Pawan Hans Crematorium to bid farewell, tributes poured in. Karan Johar wrote that the industry now carried a void that could never be filled. India felt the loss of not just an actor, but a symbol of an era when heroes were gentle, masculinity was humane, and cinema was a window to hope.
Dharmendra is survived by Prakash Kaur, his children Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta, Hema Malini, and daughters Esha and Ahana. His grandson Dharam carries his name forward, a small but poignant continuation of a monumental legacy.
Dharmendra was more than the sum of his films. He was a feeling—warm, familiar, enduring. A hero who could cry without shame, love without ego, and fight without losing his humanity. His films remain cultural treasures, and his memory will live on as long as Indian cinema exists. He departs as the eternal He-Man of our hearts, leaving behind a glow that will never dim.
(the writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
