Dharmendra, ‘he-man’ of Bollywood, dies at 89 after prolonged illness

Dharmendra, one of the most celebrated and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema, died on Monday at the age of 89. The veteran star, widely regarded as Bollywood’s “He-Man” for his action-hero persona and commanding screen presence, had been receiving intermittent hospital care in Mumbai in recent weeks.
A senior police official, citing information from the actor’s doctor, confirmed his death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences, calling Dharmendra’s passing “the end of an era” and praising his versatility and lasting impact on generations of filmgoers.
Over a six-decade career spanning more than 300 films, Dharmendra became a defining figure of 1970s and 1980s Bollywood. His ability to transition seamlessly between rugged action roles and gentle, romantic characters made him one of Indian cinema’s most admired and bankable stars.
His performance in Sholay (1975), often ranked among India’s greatest films, cemented his superstardom. Dharmendra’s pairing with Amitabh Bachchan in the movie became iconic, and his roles in hits such as Chupke Chupke (1975) and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) solidified his status as a household name.
Dharmendra’s on-screen chemistry with actress Hema Malini — whom he later married — created one of Bollywood’s most popular pairings across more than two dozen films. Their relationship generated controversy at the time, as Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur and reportedly converted to Islam to legally wed Malini in 1980. He remained married to both women and maintained close ties to his large family, which includes actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Esha Deol.
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol in Punjab in 1935, he moved to Mumbai in the late 1950s and made his film debut in 1960. Over time, he evolved from a leading man to roles focused on character and family patriarchs, continuing to work well into his later years. His final appearance was in the 2025 war biopic Ikkis.
Dharmendra received numerous honours throughout his career, including the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for his contributions to Indian cinema. He also briefly served as a Bharatiya Janata Party MP between 2004 and 2009.
He is survived by his wives, children, and grandchildren.