Dharmendra, the legendary Indian actor who, for more than six decades, embodied a unique blend of rugged masculinity and disarming vulnerability for generations of cinema-goers, passed away at his residence. He was 89.
As India’s film industry, often called Bollywood, transitioned from the idealism of the post-independence era to the high-octane action of the 1970s and 80s, Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, known simply by his first name, was the constant, defining star. He was universally referred to as the “He-Man of Bollywood,” yet this nickname only tells a fraction of the story. Beneath the physique that graced posters across the subcontinent was a performer of surprising emotional depth and comedic timing, equally at home as a brooding hero in an intense drama or a spirited rogue in a blockbuster comedy.
His journey from the quiet village of Nasrali in Punjab to the dazzling lights of Bombay’s film sets was the kind of cinematic dream he would later bring to life on screen. Born into a modest Jat Sikh family on December 8, 1935, his father was a school headmaster. Dharmendra often recounted how, as a young man, he would walk miles to school, his mind consumed by the moving images he saw in film reels. His aspirations were fueled by a love for cinema that seemed impossibly distant.
His first major break came not through pedigree but through a public talent contest sponsored by Filmfare magazine. His film debut came in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, but it was his role in the 1966 blockbuster Phool Aur Patthar that established him as a major star and earned him his first Filmfare Award nomination. In that decade, he perfected the romantic lead in acclaimed films such as Anupama (1966) and the intense social drama Satyakam (1969), a film that remains a hallmark of his dramatic prowess.
The 1970s cemented his stardom in action roles, leading to the “He-Man” moniker. But his enduring legacy rests on his versatility. In one of the most celebrated dualities of his career, 1975 saw the release of both the comedy classic Chupke Chupke, where he played a sophisticated, hilarious botany professor, and the monumental action-western, Sholay. As Veeru, the lovable, roguish outlaw, Dharmendra formed one-half of Hindi cinema’s most iconic partnership alongside Amitabh Bachchan. His effortless charm and pitch-perfect comic relief made Veeru a timeless character, immortalizing lines of dialogue that are quoted even today.
His professional life often intersected with his personal one. In 1979, he married his frequent co-star, the actress and dancer Hema Malini, creating one of Bollywood‘s most enduring and high-profile partnerships. He is survived by her and his first wife, Parkash Kaur, and his six children, including his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, who also became actors, carrying forward the family’s cinematic lineage.
Beyond the arc lights, Dharmendra also made a foray into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from 2004 to 2009. However, his heart was always in the arts and the simple pleasures of life. Later in his career, he enjoyed a well-received second act, starring in films alongside his sons, often showcasing a gentler, more seasoned presence. His final appearances, including the 2023 hit Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, proved that his charisma was undimmed by age.
He received India’s third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, in 2012, recognizing his immense contributions. Yet, the honor he cherished most seemed to be the simple affection of his audience.
He once reflected on his career, saying, in his characteristic grounded style, that his true measure was not as an actor: “I am first a human being and if you are a good human being, you have achieved everything no matter how big actor you are.” It is perhaps this innate humility of the boy from the soil who remained rooted even at the dizzying height of fame that will be the most lasting memory of one of Indian cinema’s biggest, warmest, and most unforgettable stars.
