Image Source livemint
MUMBAI, November 25, 2025 — Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra , affectionately known as the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema and ‘Dharam Paaji,’ passed away yesterday, Monday, November 24, at his residence in Mumbai. He was 89. The news of his demise has plunged the film fraternity and millions of his fans across the globe into deep mourning, marking the end of a remarkable era in Hindi cinema.
Tributes poured in from political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and countless industry colleagues like Karan Johar, who called the passing “an end of an ERA… a massive mega star.”
A Career Spanning Six Decades
Born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in a village in Punjab, Dharmendra’s journey to stardom is a classic Bollywood tale of a small-town boy achieving the impossible.
Humble Beginnings : His passion for the screen led him to Mumbai in the late 1950s after he won a film magazine’s talent contest. He made his debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.
The Breakthrough : His career truly took flight in the mid-1960s with hits like Phool Aur Patthar (1966), which cemented his image as a romantic hero with an underlying rugged charm.
The ‘He-Man’ Era : The 1970s saw Dharmendra rise to superstardom, earning the moniker ‘He-Man’ and ‘Action King’ for his roles in action-packed blockbusters like Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Dharam Veer, and the iconic Western-style film Sholay (1975), where his portrayal of the lovable rogue ‘Veeru’ remains legendary.
The Versatile Actor : Beyond action, he showcased his versatility in emotional dramas like Bandini and Satyakam, and memorable comedies like Chupke Chupke.
Later Career and Accolades : He continued to work well into his later years, winning hearts with his roles in films like Life in a Metro and, most recently, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). His immense contribution to the arts was recognized with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2012.
Personal Life and Legacy
Dharmendra’s personal life often remained a subject of public fascination.
Family : He is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their children, including successful actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He is also survived by his second wife, actress and dancer Hema Malini, and their daughters, including actress Esha Deol.
A Dynasty : His children and grandchildren have carried forward his cinematic legacy, making the Deols one of the most prominent film families in the industry.
Beyond Cinema : In addition to his film career, Dharmendra also dabbled in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from the Bikaner constituency from 2004 to 2009.
Dharmendra leaves behind a monumental body of work—over 300 films—defined by his incredible charisma, emotional depth, and ability to connect with the common man. His passing is an irreplaceable loss for Indian cinema.
