Bollywood legend Dharam Singh Deol, known professionally as Dharmendra, died in Mumbai at the age of 89.
His death prompted tributes across India, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said his death “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Celebrated for his versatility and charm, Dharmendra often described himself as “a simple man” but commanded immense loyalty from millions of fans.
Best known for playing Veeru in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in more than 300 films over several decades, becoming one of Bollywood’s most recognizable stars.
He gained greater fame through hit songs, as well as his widely publicized romance and eventual marriage to actress Hema Malini. Known as the “original He-Man of Bollywood” and “Garam (hot) Dharam”, he frequently appeared on global lists of the “most handsome men” of his time.
His admirers included Bollywood colleagues: actress Madhuri Dixit once called him “one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen on screen”, Salman Khan described him as “the most beautiful man” and Jaya Bachchan referred to him as “a Greek god”.
Dharmendra often said he was “embarrassed” by such praise and attributed his appearance to “nature, my parents and my genes.”
Born on December 8, 1935 in Nasrali village in Ludhiana district of Punjab, his schoolteacher father named him Dharam Singh Deol.
Although his father expected him to concentrate on his studies, Dharmendra fell in love with cinema early. He recalled watching his first movie in the ninth level and said, “I saw my first movie when I was in the ninth level and I was hooked…I thought I should find my way there.”
His family initially disapproved, but after he entered and unexpectedly won the Filmfare All India Talent Competition, he moved to Bombay to pursue acting.
He made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere and dominated Bollywood for three decades. She rose to fame with Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963 and became a leading romantic star, collaborating with top actresses like Nutan, Meena Kumari, Mala Sinha and Saira Banu.
His transition into action films began with Phool Aur Patthar in 1966, and Mera Gaon Mera Desh in 1971 cemented his status as an action hero known for performing his own stunts.
He also excelled in comedy and thrillers, earning praise “for his impeccable comic timing” in the 1975 hit Chupke Chupke.
Although he starred alongside 70 heroines, his most iconic on-screen pairing was with Hema Malini, who later became his second wife. Their romance began in the 1970s during films like Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani and Sholay. Malini recounted in her 2017 biography that she once heard him say to Shashi Kapoor: “Kudi badi changi hai (The girl is quite pretty).”
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Their relationship faced media scrutiny, especially as Dharmendra was already married with grown children, and reports of family resistance circulated before they married in 1980. Claims that the couple converted to Islam to marry, permitted under Islamic law, were later denied by Dharmendra.
He briefly entered politics and served one term as a BJP MP for Bikaner from 2005 to 2009, but was criticized for his poor attendance in parliament. Reflecting on the experience at Aap Ki Adalat, he said: “Politics is not for emotional people, it is for thick-skinned people… These five years were very hard for me; they were difficult.”
Dharmendra continued acting almost into his later years, appearing in films with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, judging reality shows, and staying active on social media to interact with fans.
(BBC)
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