MUMBAI: Veteran actor Dharmendra, one of India’s most beloved and enduring film legends, passed away at his Mumbai residence on Monday at the age of 89.
Filmmaker Karan Johar confirmed the demise in an emotional social media post. An official statement from Dharmendra’s family is still awaited. The news comes just weeks ahead of his 90th birthday on December 8.
“It is an end of an ERA….. a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence … he is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… defining and richly present in the pages of cinema history … but mostly he was the best human being… he was so loved by everyone in our industry ….,” Karan’s Instagram post read.
The “He Man” of Indian Cinema had been unwell for some time. On November 10, Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital following a deterioration in his health. Several prominent film personalities, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Govinda visited the hospital to extend their support to the Deol family during this difficult time.
Popularly known as the ‘He-Man’ of Indian Cinema, Dharmendra starred in several iconic films such as Sholay, Dharamveer, Chupke Chupke, Loafer, Jugnu, and Seeta Aur Geeta. He was last seen in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’ in 2024.
In the film, he essayed the role of Shahid Kapoor’s grandfather. Prior to this film, in 2023, he surprised everyone with his stellar performance in Karan Johar’s directorial ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.
(Inputs from ANI)
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