Dipak Kurmi
Bollywood awoke to an aching stillness on November 24, 2025, when news spread across Mumbai that Dharmendra, the beloved He-Man of Indian cinema, had breathed his last at the age of 89. His passing came merely two weeks before his 90th birthday on December 8, a moment the industry had quietly been preparing to celebrate. Instead, the country was plunged into grief as it lost a man who had shaped the emotional landscape of Indian cinema for more than sixty years. To millions, Dharmendra was not simply an actor; he was a sentiment woven into generations of family memories, into black-and-white afternoons, into Sunday television telecasts, into the very grammar of popular Indian storytelling. His departure marks the end of an era defined not by spectacle alone but by humanity, grace, and an onscreen presence that was both invincible and tender.
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village of Punjab’s Ludhiana district, he emerged from profoundly humble origins. His father, Kewal Krishan, was the headmaster of Government Senior Secondary School in Lalton Kalan, and his mother, Satwant Kaur, nurtured the values that shaped his grounded, affectionate personality. Dharmendra completed his early education in his father’s school, later matriculating from Phagwara in 1952. He grew up amidst the earthy rhythms of rural life, tending to chores, helping on farmland, and learning the virtues of honesty and simplicity. At the age of 19, he married Prakash Kaur in 1954. Together, they would raise four children—Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta—long before the spotlight of fame would envelop their lives.
Destiny intervened when the young Dharmendra sent his photographs to Filmfare magazine for its prestigious nationwide talent contest. His victory changed everything. He arrived in Mumbai armed with nothing but dreams and photographs, entering a world he admired from afar but never imagined he could inhabit. Though the first project he was selected for never materialized, another door opened soon after. His official debut came with Arjun Hingorani’s Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. While the film failed commercially, Dharmendra left an impression that industry insiders quietly noted. His early successes came swiftly: Shola Aur Shabnam in 1961, the emotional drama Anpadh in 1962, and Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963. Bandini not only won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi but also showcased Dharmendra’s emotional maturity, marking him as a compelling new force in Indian cinema.
By 1964, his rise felt inevitable. In Ayee Milan Ki Bela, his portrayal of an antagonist was met with such fascination that audiences admired him even in a negative role, earning him a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, his performance in Haqeeqat, Chetan Anand’s stirring war drama based on the Sino-Indian conflict, became an enduring symbol of patriotic cinema. The haunting melody Kar Chale Hum Fida echoed across the nation, and Dharmendra’s sincerity gave the film its emotional core. These early achievements laid the foundation for a career defined by versatility, discipline, and rare cinematic magnetism.
His grand breakthrough arrived in 1966 with Phool Aur Patthar, a film that transformed him into a national sensation. His electrifying screen presence opposite Meena Kumari captivated audiences, and the film’s resounding success earned him his first Best Actor nomination. The industry suddenly found its new leading man—a figure who combined natural physical strength with emotional vulnerability. Films such as Mamta, Devar, Anupama, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke followed, each confirming his expanding range. Anupama, in particular, earned him recognition at the 14th National Film Awards for his sensitive performance as a man internally torn by love and duty.
By the late 1960s, Dharmendra had become virtually unstoppable. Shikar and Ankhen emerged as blockbusters in 1968, with Ankhen becoming the year’s highest-grossing film. Then came Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Satyakam in 1969, widely regarded as Dharmendra’s finest work. Critics who seldom praised commercial heroes lauded the depth and moral courage he brought to the role. While the era witnessed the meteoric rise of Rajesh Khanna’s superstardom, Dharmendra, along with Dev Anand, remained unaffected by shifting trends, standing resolute in a space he had carved through sheer talent and audience trust.
The 1970s heralded his golden age. In 1970, he delivered the hit Jeevan Mrityu, and soon began his legendary on-screen collaboration with Hema Malini. Their chemistry, first glimpsed in films like Tum Haseen Main Jawan and Sharafat, quickly became iconic. In 1971, Mera Gaon Mera Desh marked a turning point in his career, transforming him into Bollywood’s leading action hero. The film’s success triggered a nationwide shift in audience tastes, and Dharmendra stood at the forefront of a new cinematic wave.
The year 1973 saw him at the peak of his powers, delivering a string of blockbusters including Loafer, Jugnu, Kahani Kismat Ki, Jheel Ke Us Paar, and the culturally defining Yaadon Ki Baaraat, often regarded as the first true masala film. His momentum culminated in 1975 with the release of Sholay, a film that would redefine the Indian cinematic experience. Although its initial days were modest, word-of-mouth transformed Sholay into a colossal phenomenon. Dharmendra’s portrayal of Veeru—playful, loyal, dashing, and deeply human—became immortal. With a five-year uninterrupted run at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre, countless golden jubilees, and a cultural resonance that transcends generations, Sholay ensured Dharmendra’s place in cinematic eternity.
His superstardom only broadened in the late 1970s and 1980s. Dharam Veer in 1977 became a sensation across India and abroad, especially in the Soviet Union, where it sold an extraordinary 32 million tickets. In 1987, Dharmendra achieved something no other Bollywood actor has replicated: eight successful films in a single year. Coupled with the seven hits he delivered in 1973, he remains the only star to achieve seven or more hits in two separate years.
Dharmendra’s personal life, while often scrutinized, remained grounded in dignity. His marriage to Hema Malini during the 1970s created headlines, debates, and speculation about religious conversion. Yet he maintained his identity as a Hindu and lived his life with both families in a uniquely balanced manner. With Hema Malini, he had two daughters, Esha and Ahana. Despite constant media curiosity, the extended Deol family navigated its complexities with mutual respect, preserving unity and dignity across both households.
As the 1990s unfolded, Dharmendra embraced character roles with poise. His performance in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya in 1998 signaled a smooth transition, and in 2007 his roles in Life in a Metro, Apne, and Johnny Gaddaar reaffirmed his adaptability. Even in his eighties, he remained a cherished presence. His moving cameo in the 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, particularly his soulful recitation of Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar, deeply moved audiences. In 2024, he delighted viewers in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and his final film, Ikkis—based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal—is set for posthumous release on December 25, 2025.
Beyond acting, he was a pioneering producer. He founded Vijayta Films in 1983, launching Sunny Deol with Betaab, and later producing Ghayal, which won the National Award and seven Filmfare Awards. In 1995, he produced Barsaat, then India’s costliest film, successfully launching Bobby Deol. His production house later introduced his grandson Karan Deol with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, ensuring that the Deol legacy continued through generations.
Dharmendra’s influence extended into politics when he served as BJP MP for Bikaner from 2004 to 2009. While his parliamentary attendance was debated, his popularity with the masses remained undeniable. He also made his mark on television, judging India’s Got Talent in 2011 and appearing in the historical series Taj: Divided by Blood in 2023.
Accolades honored him throughout his career. The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 left him visibly emotional, as he lamented never receiving Best Actor despite delivering countless classics. Dilip Kumar once famously remarked that God made only one mistake: not making him as handsome as Dharmendra. In 2012, he received the Padma Bhushan, cementing his place as a national treasure. Critics across generations ranked him among India’s greatest actors, while colleagues admired his gentleness, warmth, and ageless charm.
His final months were marked by delicate health. After a corneal transplant earlier in 2025, he was hospitalized twice in November for breathing issues. False reports of his death on November 11 caused nationwide confusion, prompting his family to urge media responsibility. Twelve peaceful days later, he passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones.
At his funeral at Pawan Hans Crematorium, industry legends gathered to bid farewell. Tributes poured in from across the world. Karan Johar wrote that Bollywood had lost its warmth. Salman Khan said Dharmendra was the most beautiful man he had ever known. For millions, it felt as though a personal chapter had closed forever.
Dharmendra leaves behind Prakash Kaur, Hema Malini, his children Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, Ajeeta, Esha, and Ahana, and grandchildren who carry his legacy forward. More than the sum of his films, Dharmendra was a feeling—a warm, enduring presence who redefined masculinity as something strong yet tender, fierce yet compassionate. His legacy lives on in the films that shaped Indian cinema, in the warmth he brought to every frame, and in the hearts of the people who adored him. He remains, in every sense, the eternal He-Man of India.
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
