Dharmendra, Bollywood legend, passes away at 89
Dharmendra, the Indian star who wrote himself into showbiz legend in a 65-year career spanning 300 films ranging from "Satyakam' to "Sholay", died here on Monday, police said. He was 89. There was no confirmation from the family. The actor, who would have turned 90 on December 8, was not keeping well for a while and was in and out of a Mumbai hospital with the family finally deciding to continue his treatment at home earlier this month.
A police statement said Dharmendra died this morning and funeral arrangements are being made at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Ville Parle suburb of Mumbai. An ambulance and several cars left Dharmendra's Juhu residence and Hema Malini, Esha Deol, Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan were seen at the crematorium. Salman Khan and his father, scriptwriter Salim Khan, were also spotted at the crematorium.
But the family, which had criticised the media for declaring Dharmendra dead earlier this month and requested for privacy, has kept quiet so far. Several media houses had carried reports that Dharmendra had died on November 11 but the actor was discharged the next day and has been treated at home since then. Many celebrities including Karan Johar, Kajol, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor mourned the actor's death on social media with Johar calling Dharmendra's death as the end of an era.
Born in a village in Ludhiana in 1935, Dharmendra made his film debut in 1960 with the romantic drama "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere". He established himself as a leading romantic hero in the 1960s with films such as "Bandini", "Ayee Milan Ki Bela", and "Khamoshi", before gaining critical acclaim for his performance in Chetan Anand's war drama "Haqeeqat" (1965). His breakthrough as a box-office star came with "Phool Aur Patthar" in 1966. Over the next two decades, Dharmendra starred in some of Bollywood's biggest hits, including "Mera Gaon Mera Desh", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Chupke Chupke", "Sholay", and "Yaadon Ki Baraat". In the 1980s, he transitioned into action roles and ensemble casts, earning the nickname "He-Man of India."
Later in his career, Dharmendra successfully took on character roles in films like "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya", "Johnny Gaddaar", and "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani". He also shared the screen with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol in the "Yamla Pagla Deewana" series and "Apne".
Dharmendra was last seen in "Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya", starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. His upcoming film, "Ikkis", featuring Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda, is scheduled for release on December 25. Dharmendra is survived by his wife Prakash Kaur, Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta, Ajeeta, Esha and Ahana.
