Bollywood actor Dharmendra Deol dies at 89
Dharmendra, who had reportedly been ill for the past month, died at his residence. He is survived by two wives and six children.
Funeral Attended by Bollywood Legends
There was no immediate official statement from the family. However, several Bollywood contemporaries — including superstar Amitabh Bachchan — were seen at a crematorium in Juhu for the actor’s final rites.
Filmmaker Karan Johar, who cast Dharmendra in the 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, paid tribute on Instagram, calling him “a massive megastar, the embodiment of a hero in mainstream cinema.”
A Six-Decade Career and 300+ Films
Known simply as Dharmendra by millions of fans, the actor appeared in more than 300 films over a storied career spanning six decades.
Born in Punjab in 1935, he entered the film industry after winning a talent contest organized by a movie magazine. His debut came in 1960.
Dharmendra excelled in arthouse cinema, romance, comedy, and action, making him one of the most versatile performers of his generation.
‘Sholay’ and Cultural Impact
Among his most iconic roles was Sholay (1975), widely regarded as a Bollywood classic. Dharmendra’s portrayal of the lovable rogue “Veeru” made him a pop-culture fixture, with his dialogues becoming memes decades later.
Personal Life and Political Career
Before achieving fame, Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children.
In 1980, he married actress Hema Malini, his frequent co-star, without divorcing his first wife.
He also served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009.
Nationwide Condolences
Tributes flooded social media from across India’s political and entertainment landscape.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as “an iconic film personality and a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played