Bollywood star Dharmendra has died in the Indian city of Mumbai at the age of 89. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor, saying his passing 'marks the end of an era in Indian cinema'.
Dharmendra, who often described himself as 'a simple man', commanded extraordinary affection and loyalty from his tens of millions of fans. Best known as Veeru, the lovable petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, many hits, captivating audiences for decades. Songs featuring him topped the charts, and his romance and marriage with Hema Malini made headlines.
Dubbed the 'original He-Man of Bollywood' and 'Garam (hot) Dharam', the actor often made it to global lists of 'most handsome men' in his heyday and female fans were known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows. Bollywood stars weren't immune to his charms either - actress Madhuri Dixit and superstar Salman Khan praised him as one of the most beautiful men, while actress Jaya Bachchan called him 'a Greek God'.
Dharmendra always said he was 'embarrassed' by talk of his good looks and attributed it to 'nature, my parents and my genes'. Born on December 8, 1935, Dharmendra's career took off after he won an acting contest, leading to his debut film in 1960.
He was not only a romantic hero but also excelled in action roles, with films like Mera Gaon Mera Desh solidifying his reputation. Dharmendra’s partnership with Hema Malini became legendary, overcoming familial obstacles to marry in 1980.
He served as a politician, facing criticism for his commitment, but he always felt his true calling was in entertainment. As news of his death circulated, tributes flooded in from across the film industry, cementing his status as a beloved cultural icon whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Dharmendra, who often described himself as 'a simple man', commanded extraordinary affection and loyalty from his tens of millions of fans. Best known as Veeru, the lovable petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, many hits, captivating audiences for decades. Songs featuring him topped the charts, and his romance and marriage with Hema Malini made headlines.
Dubbed the 'original He-Man of Bollywood' and 'Garam (hot) Dharam', the actor often made it to global lists of 'most handsome men' in his heyday and female fans were known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows. Bollywood stars weren't immune to his charms either - actress Madhuri Dixit and superstar Salman Khan praised him as one of the most beautiful men, while actress Jaya Bachchan called him 'a Greek God'.
Dharmendra always said he was 'embarrassed' by talk of his good looks and attributed it to 'nature, my parents and my genes'. Born on December 8, 1935, Dharmendra's career took off after he won an acting contest, leading to his debut film in 1960.
He was not only a romantic hero but also excelled in action roles, with films like Mera Gaon Mera Desh solidifying his reputation. Dharmendra’s partnership with Hema Malini became legendary, overcoming familial obstacles to marry in 1980.
He served as a politician, facing criticism for his commitment, but he always felt his true calling was in entertainment. As news of his death circulated, tributes flooded in from across the film industry, cementing his status as a beloved cultural icon whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
