Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most popular stars whose versatile performances made him a defining screen presence of 1970s and 1980s Bollywood films, has died. He was 89.
The actor, who would have turned 90 on Dec 8, had been in and out of a hospital in the financial capital, Mumbai, over the past few weeks.
A senior police official who had spoken to Dharmendra’s doctor confirmed the death on condition of anonymity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences, saying the actor’s death yesterday 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,” Modi said on X.
Often called Bollywood’s “He-Man”, Dharmendra combined the old-school heroism of an action star with the tenderness of a romantic lead, making him one of India’s most iconic actors.
Though most of his fame came from roles in which he embodied the archetype of a larger-than-life hero – upright, patriotic and fearless – his charming performances in romantic hits equally made him popular with the masses.
Dharmendra’s performance in Sholay (1975) – Bollywood’s take on the Spaghetti Western and regarded as one of India’s greatest films – earned him enduring popularity.
His roles in other Hindi-language hits, from the romantic comedy Chupke Chupke (1975) to the action drama Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), made him one of the most recognisable film faces from that era.
His on-screen chemistry with actress Hema Malini, whom he later married, became one of Bollywood’s most popular collaborations, as the pair acted together in more than two dozen films.
But their union was rooted in scandal. Dharmendra had married Prakash Kaur before his film debut, and went on to have four children with her, including two who would follow in his acting footsteps – Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
Despite his marriage to Malini in 1980, he reportedly never divorced Kaur and continued to live with her.
Dharmendra and Malini had two daughters, including Bollywood actor Esha Deol. — AP
