Mumbai witnessed an outpouring of grief as hundreds of fans gathered to pay their final respects to legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, who passed away at the age of 89. The emotional scenes outside Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle reflected the deep connection the actor shared with his admirers across generations.
Heartfelt Tributes from Devoted Fans
Among the mourners was 60-year-old Ashok Shaini, who carried a photograph of himself with his favorite actor. Shaini had traveled emotionally to bid farewell to the man who changed his life decades ago. In 1987, as a 22-year-old from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, Shaini stood outside Dharmendra's house seeking employment without any references. The actor noticed him at the gate, stopped to inquire, and ultimately hired him as a cook. Shaini worked for the Deol family until 1992, a testament to Dharmendra's generous nature.
Another devoted fan, Shashikant Sharma, revealed their unique birthday tradition for the actor. For the past six years, Sharma and fellow fans had been celebrating Dharmendra's birthday with cakes weighing over 80 kilograms. This year, they had planned to upgrade to a 90-kg cake to mark what would have been the actor's 90th birthday in December.
International Fan Club Mourns Together
Sharma belongs to the 'Dharmendra Ek Anmol Ratan International Fans Club,' which boasts approximately 350 members worldwide. The Bangalore-based fan frequently visits Mumbai and expressed how the fan community had been preparing for the milestone birthday celebration that will now remain unfulfilled.
As news of Dharmendra's passing spread, the crowd outside the crematorium swelled with fans and acquaintances sharing stories and comforting each other. The actor, affectionately known as Bollywood's "He-Man," died in the early hours of Monday at his residence. According to a senior officer stationed at the actor's bungalow, the family completed initial rituals before informing the Juhu police around noon.
Bollywood Pays Final Respects
The film industry came together to honor one of its most beloved figures. Prominent personalities including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan with wife Gauri Khan, and Shabana Azmi were among those who visited the crematorium to pay their final respects.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also paid tribute, stating that Dharmendra would forever remain in the hearts of film enthusiasts. The actor's legacy spans decades, with memorable performances in classics like Sholay and Satyakam that cemented his status as a Hindi cinema icon.
The final journey began when the family left the bungalow with the actor's body around 12:30 pm, heading toward the Pawan Hans crematorium ground where fans had already begun gathering, united in their grief and admiration for the star who touched countless lives through his cinema and personal kindness.
