Actor Dharmendra, one of the biggest stars in the history of Indian cinema, died this Wednesday (24) in Mumbai at the age of 89. The information was confirmed by family members and immediately resonated with fans and artists of Bollywood. Conhecido as the original “He-Man” of Hindi cinema, he acted in more than 300 films over six decades.
Dharmendra leaves behind his wife, actress Hema Malini, his children Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, also actors, and millions of admirers who have followed him since his debut in 1960.
Career started in a talent contest
Born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935, in Punjab, the actor came from a simple Jatt-Sikh family. His father, a professor, wanted him to pursue an academic career.
At the age of 19, he won the new talent competition promoted by the magazine Filmfare, which opened the doors to Mumbai, then called Bombaim. The first film, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, hit screens in 1960.
Consolidation as a heartthrob and action star
In the 1960s, he stood out in romantic roles alongside Nutan, Meena Kumari and Mala Sinha. His success in Phool Aur Patthar (1966) marked his transition to action protagonist.
The consecration came with Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) and, especially, Sholay (1975), where he played Veeru alongside Amitabh Bachchan. The film became one of the greatest classics of Indian cinema.
- Run by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay earned the equivalent of more than 2 billion rupees in current values.
- The duo Veeru and Jai entered the country’s popular culture.
- The character’s phrases are repeated to this day by different generations.
Striking partnership with Hema Malini
The chemistry with Hema Malini generated some of the duo’s biggest hits, such as Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and Raja Jani (1972). The behind-the-scenes romance made national news.
They married in 1980, after Dharmendra already had four children from her first marriage with Prakash Kaur. The union remains to this day one of the most talked about in the industry.
Political career and last years in cinema
In 2004, he was elected federal deputy for the BJP for Bikaner, in Rajastão, serving a term until 2009. The actor himself later admitted that politics did not suit his profile.
In recent years, he has acted alongside his children in films such as Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) and Apne (2007), in addition to maintaining an active presence on social media.
Legacy recognized by awards and honors
In 1997 he received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Filmfare. In 2012 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honor of the Índia.
Artists such as Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Karan Johar paid tribute online shortly after the death was announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his death “the end of an era in Indian cinema”.
The body will be laid to rest this Thursday in Mumbai, with a ceremony open to the public in the same place where the funerals of other legends of Bollywood took place.
