Bollywood's Eternal 'He-Man' Dharmendra Passes Away at 89 in Mumbai.......

In a heartbreaking moment for Indian cinema, legendary actor Dharmendra, fondly remembered as the 'He-Man' of Bollywood, breathed his last on Monday evening at his residence in Mumbai. The 89-year-old icon, whose rugged charm and powerful screen presence captivated generations, died peacefully after a brief illness. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving fans, family, and fellow stars in collective mourning.

Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in Lahore (now Pakistan), rose from humble beginnings in a small village in Punjab to become one of Hindi film's most enduring stars. He burst onto the scene in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, but it was his raw, magnetic performance in Phool Aur Patthar (1966) that earned him his first Filmfare Best Actor Award and cemented his status as a romantic hero with a difference. Over the next six decades, he starred in more than 300 films, effortlessly switching from heartthrob roles in black-and-white romances to high-octane action flicks in the colorful '70s and '80s.

Who can forget his unforgettable double role in Ram Balram (1980) or his intense portrayal in Sholay (1975), where he played the loyal Thakur's son alongside Amitabh Bachchan's Jai? Dharmendra's baritone voice, intense eyes, and that signature swagger made him the ultimate symbol of masculinity and emotion. He won hearts as the village simpleton in Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) and delivered laughs in the Yamla Pagla Deewana series with sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. Even in later years, he charmed audiences in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani (2023), proving age was just a number.

His personal life was as dramatic as his films. Married to Prakash Kaur in 1954, with whom he had sons Sunny and Bobby, Dharmendra later converted to Islam to marry actress Hema Malini in 1980, with whom he had daughters Esha and Ahana. The Deol family home in Mumbai's Juhu became a hub of creativity, producing hits like Ghayal under Dharmendra's production banner.

Earlier this month, Dharmendra had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai for respiratory issues. Discharged on November 12, he seemed to be recovering at home, but his health took a sudden turn on November 24. The exact cause of death hasn't been disclosed, but reports suggest complications from his recent ailments.

Tributes poured in from across the globe, reflecting Dharmendra's towering influence. Filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed him in Rocky Aur Rani, posted on social media: "An end of an era. The He-Man who made us all believe in love and strength. Om Shanti." Amitabh Bachchan, his Sholay co-star, wrote, "A brother, a friend, a legend gone too soon. The screen will never be the same." Shah Rukh Khan called him "the heartbeat of Bollywood," while Salman Khan shared a throwback photo with the caption, "Sir, you taught us what real action means."

South Indian icons like Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi hailed him as a pan-India pioneer, and Priyanka Chopra remembered his kindness off-screen. At the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, Rajkumar Hirani choked up, saying, "A wonderful artist whose films we grew up on. Thank you for the memories."

His funeral was held on Tuesday at a crematorium in Mumbai, attended by a sea of celebrities including Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, and the Bachchan family. Hema Malini, visibly distraught, led the family in the final rites, with sons Sunny and Bobby by her side.

Dharmendra's final bow comes posthumously in Sriram Raghavan's Ikkis, set for release on Christmas Day 2025, alongside Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat. As fans light candles and share clips of his golden moments, one thing is clear: the man who embodied strength and romance will live forever on the silver screen.