Dharmendra, veteran Bollywood star hailed as the industry’s original action hero, has died at the age of 89.
Bollywood actor Dharmendra, one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved and successful stars, died in a Mumbai hospital on Tuesday, aged 89. The news of his death was confirmed by his team on Tuesday morning. Further details about his last rites are awaited
Dharmendra dies at 89
The veteran actor had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on Monday after he reportedly complained of breathlessness. Initial reports suggested that he was critical and on ventilator support. Several paparazzi pages and news portals even reported his death on Monday night, but retracted it after Dharmendra’s family refuted the news.In the 1990s, the veteran actor returned to supporting roles, even appearing alongside his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, in the Yamla Pagla Deewana films and Apne. He was last seen on screen in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya in 2024.
Apart from his successful film career, Dharmendra briefly dabbled in politics as well. From 2004 to 2009, he served as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner, having won the seat on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket.
Dharmendra’s family and children
Dharmendra was married twice, first to Prakash Kaur in 1954 and then to fellow Bollywood star Hema Malini in 1980. The actor had four children – sons Sunny and Bobby with his first wife and daughters Esha and Aahana with Hema.
All four of Dharmendra’s children – Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Aahana Deol – visited him in the hospital on Monday, along with several Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Govinda.
Dharmendra’s stellar Bollywood career
Dharmendra began his film journey in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, but gained prominence later in the decade with supporting roles in Phool Aur Patthar and Aaye Din Bahar Ke. In the 70s, he was ranked as one of the most handsome men in the world by many international publications. During this time, he transitioned into an action star, earning the nickname ‘He-Man of India’. He worked in several hits like Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Ghulami, and Tahalka.
