The 79th edition of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards paid tribute to veteran Hindi cinema star Dharmendra during its In Memoriam segment at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22. The late actor, who passed away on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, was remembered alongside several prominent figures from international cinema.
The tribute unfolded against a live performance by Jessie Ware, who sang ‘The Way We Were,’ originally performed by Barbra Streisand. As images of departed artists appeared on screen, Dharmendra’s inclusion drew attention as a rare and significant acknowledgement of a Hindi film star at one of Britain’s most prestigious film ceremonies.
Dharmendra, whose career spanned over six decades, was one of the defining faces of mainstream Hindi cinema, balancing commercial blockbusters with dramatic performances. His final screen appearance came in the period war drama Ikkis, released months before his death. In December 2025, his legacy was further marked by the 4K restoration release of Sholay: The Final Cut, commemorating what would have been his 90th birthday.
The BAFTA tribute also honoured several international film stalwarts, including Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Val Kilmer and Lalo Schifrin, among others.
Dharmendra’s recognition continues a pattern of the British Academy acknowledging influential Indian artists. In recent years, the ceremony has remembered figures such as Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar, reflecting the growing global visibility of Indian cinema.
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