Actor Dharmendra Deol died in Mumbai on Monday due to age-related ailments. He was 89.
On October 31, Dharmendra was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after complaining about difficulty in breathing, but was discharged in a few hours.
On November 10, he was taken to hospital again. A day later, after rumours and reports that he had died, Dharmendra’s family said that the actor was “responding to treatment and is recovering”.
He is survived by his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and six children – Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, Ajeeta and Vijeta.
Dharmendra made his debut in the 1960 Hindi film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere and went on to act in more than 300 movies. He first earned popularity as an action hero in OP Ralhan’s Phool Aur Patthar in 1964.
Among the most popular films that Dharmendra acted in were Sholay, Dharam Veer, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Blackmail, Seeta Aur Geeta and Chupke Chupke.
In recent decades, he also starred in films such as Johnny Gaddaar, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.
His last film Ikkis is scheduled to be released on December 26. He also became a film producer.
He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 for his contributions to the Hindi film industry. In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour.
He was a Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP from the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan between 2004 and 2009.
On Monday, President Droupadi Murmu said that Dharmendra was among the most popular actors and had delivered numerous memorable performances during his decades-long illustrious career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the death of Dharmendra “marks the end of an era in Indian cinema”.
Producer and director Karan Johar said that Dharmendra was a “massive mega star” and “embodiment of a hero in mainstream cinema”.
“Today there is a gaping hole in our industry…a space that can never be filled by anyone,” Johar said on social media.
Also read: The rugged and tender charms of movie legend Dharmendra (1935-2025)
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