The Indian film industry mourns the loss of one of its most beloved icons as veteran actor Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai on Monday morning. The legendary star, often referred to as Bollywood's 'He-Man,' left behind an unparalleled legacy spanning over six decades and more than 300 films.
Prime Minister Modi's Heartfelt Tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying homage to the cinematic giant through a poignant social media post. The Prime Minister described Dharmendra's passing as 'the end of an era in Indian cinema' and celebrated his remarkable contributions to Indian entertainment.
In his message on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote: 'The passing of Dharmendra Ji marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played. The manner in which he played diverse roles struck a chord with countless people.'
The Prime Minister particularly highlighted Dharmendra's simplicity, humility, and warmth as qualities that endeared him to millions of fans across generations.
From Punjab Village to Bollywood Stardom
Born as Dharmendra Deol in 1935 in Sahnewal village of Ludhiana district, Punjab, the actor came from humble beginnings as the son of a school teacher. What makes his journey extraordinary is that he entered the film industry as a complete outsider with no family connections to Bollywood.
His breakthrough came when he won a national talent contest organized by a film magazine, which paved the way for his cinematic debut in 1960 with 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere'. Known for his striking good looks and powerful screen presence, Dharmendra quickly rose to fame as an action hero, though he demonstrated remarkable versatility across various genres throughout his career.
Final Farewell and Lasting Legacy
The legendary actor's last rites were conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai later on Monday, with numerous Bollywood personalities including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Aamir Khan paying their final respects.
Dharmendra's personal life reflected the complexity of his on-screen characters. He was married to Prakash Kaur before his film debut and had four children - sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Ajeeta and Vijayta. During the peak of his career, he fell in love with frequent co-star Hema Malini and welcomed her into his life in 1980, with whom he had two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol.
His recent work included appearing in the trailer for 'Ikkis,' where he portrayed the proud father of India's youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, demonstrating that his passion for acting remained undiminished even in his later years.
As the film industry and millions of fans bid farewell to this cinematic giant, Dharmendra's legacy continues to shine through his extensive body of work that includes timeless classics like 'Sholay' and 'Satyakam,' ensuring that he will forever remain etched in the hearts of cinema lovers.
