Bollywood legend Dharmendra passes away at 89, the He-Man of Indian Cinema leaves behind an immortal legacy

The industry lost a legend, but his light will never dim.

November 24, 2025 - 2:54 PM IST

Bollywood mourns the death of one of its biggest icons. Legendary actor Dharmendra, popularly referred to as the He-Man of Indian Cinema, died early this morning in Mumbai at the age of 89. Born Dharam Singh Deol in Sahnewal, Punjab, the evolution of Dharmendra from small-town dreamer to arguably one of the most enduring superstars of Hindi cinema continues to be the stuff of legend. In a glorious career spanning more than six decades, he appeared in over 300 films and redefined screen masculinity, charm, and emotional depth.

Bollywood legend Dharmendra passes away at 89, the He-Man of Indian Cinema leaves behind an immortal legacy

Dharmendra’s first triumph in the entertainment world was through a talent hunt organized by Filmfare. This encouraged him to relocate to Mumbai to try his hand in films as a lead actor. But things didn’t go smoothly and Dharmendra wasn’t getting a break in movies.

He had befriended Manoj Kumar (who also went onto become a legend in himself) at that time. Both became close friends and had each other’s back. There once came a time when Dharmendra lost all hopes and decided to return to his native place. However, Manoj Kumar somehow managed to convince him to not give up and give his career another chance. Dharmendra agreed and he got his first big break in Arjun Hingorani’s Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960).

Despite the actor getting a good break, the film didn’t succeed at the box office. Dharmendra had to wait another year to taste success for the first time through the film Shola Aur Shabnam (1961), which was followed by Anpadh (1962) and Bimal Roy’s classic Bandini (1963). From here onwards, he went on to deliver timeless classics including Haqeeqat, Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, Anupama, Dharam Veer, and The Burning Train, each performance showcasing a different facet of his craft.

With his effortless screen presence and emotional honesty, Dharmendra was as comfortable in action-comedy as he was in intense drama. His on and off-screen chemistry with Hema Malini bordered on Bollywood folklore, and with hits like Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl, and Raja Jani, the pair got immortalized as one of the most loved jodis of Indian cinema.

Dharmendra continued acting even at an advanced age. He was seen in films like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya in recent years. In fact, his last film in the form of Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis is yet to release next month.

Apart from stardom, Dharmendra was noted for his humility and warmth. Colleagues spanning different generations fondly remember him as a generous and affectionate man who carries his success with dignity and grace.

He is survived by his wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, daughters Esha and Ahana Deol, and grandchildren who continue to carry forward the illustrious Deol legacy.

Dharmendra's demise marks the end of an era, but his films, his laughter, and his spirit will continue to live in the hearts of millions forever.

Team Bollywood Hungama offers its condolences to the Deol family. The industry lost a legend, but his light will never dim.