Bollywood Legend Dharmendra Passes Away at 89
Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra has died in Mumbai at the age of 89. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured the celebrated star, noting that his death “signifies the close of a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema.”
Dharmendra—who often referred to himself modestly as “a simple man”—enjoyed an immense and long-lasting bond with millions of admirers. He is most fondly remembered for his iconic portrayal of Veeru, the charming small-time crook in the 1975 classic Sholay. Over the course of his career, he featured in more than 300 films, many of which became major box-office successes.
His on-screen songs frequently became chart-toppers, while his love story and later marriage to actress Hema Malini remained a favourite subject of public fascination.
Born on 8 December 1935 in Nasrali village of Punjab’s Ludhiana district, Dharmendra was originally named Dharam Singh Deol by his schoolteacher father. He rose from a middle-class Jatt-Sikh family to become one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars.
