Dharmendra Passes Away at 89: Bollywood’s He-Man Leaves Behind an Irreplaceable Legacy

By ultapaltakhabar Nov 24, 2025 0

Cinema mourns the end of an era as tributes pour in for Dharmendra — the romantic hero, action superstar, poet at heart, and the man who defined Hindi cinema for six decades.

Bollywood has lost one of its tallest, most beloved, and most enduring icons. Veteran actor Dharmendra, popularly known as the He-Man of Hindi Cinema, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, in Mumbai at the age of 89. The legendary star, who had been in and out of Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for days due to age-related ailments, breathed his last at home after being recently discharged.

With his passing, an era of cinema — of charm, innocence, raw masculinity, poetic romance, and unfiltered stardom — has come to a solemn, definitive close.

The Star Who Defined the Everyman Hero

Dharmendra’s journey from a small town in Punjab to becoming one of Indian cinema’s most loved stars is the stuff of legend. For over 65 years, he headlined more than 300 films, leaving behind a legacy that few actors can match.

Whether it was the rugged anger of “Phool Aur Patthar”, the comic gold of “Chupke Chupke”, the poetic lover in “Aaye Din Bahar Ke”, or the unforgettable Veeru in “Sholay”, Dharmendra embodied a rare combination of charm, strength, and softness — the perfect Hindi film hero long before that term even existed.

His long list of blockbusters includes:

Ayee Milan Ki Bela
Seeta Aur Geeta
Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Pratiggya
Jugnu
Dost
Charas
Dharam Veer
The Burning Train

In 2023, he made a heart-warming comeback in Karan Johar’s “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, winning over the newer generation of audiences.

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A Poet Behind the Superstar

Beyond the strong, action-hero image, Dharmendra was known among his close circle as a “poet trapped in a superstar’s body.” His social media posts, often featuring rustic shayari from his Lonavala farmhouse, were beloved by fans who saw an unfiltered, emotional side to the actor.

This blend of vulnerability and macho magnetism made him one of the most unique personalities of Indian cinema.

Nation Mourns: Emotional Tributes Pour In

The moment news of Dharmendra’s death broke, tributes poured in from across the film industry and political circles.

Mallikarjun Kharge’s Heartfelt Note

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep sadness, calling Dharmendra a “precious star who ruled the hearts of cinema lovers for decades.” He added that his passing marks the “end of an era.”

Eknath Shinde Remembers the People’s Hero

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde recalled Dharmendra as an actor who “gave pure joy” to millions through films like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Dream Girl, and Seeta Aur Geeta. He described Dharmendra as a man whose unique videos, shayari, and love for farming kept him close to the people.

Devendra Fadnavis Offers Condolences

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared that Dharmendra was “a friend to everyone, a mentor to younger generations, and a star who remained active through every era of cinema — from black-and-white to modern filmmaking.”

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Bollywood Comes Together in Grief

The film fraternity, shocked and emotional, shared fond memories and heartfelt tributes:

Karan Johar wrote that it was truly the end of an era.
Kajol called him “the OG of the good man.”
Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jackie Shroff, Sunny Deol, and countless others paid their respects.

For the industry, Dharmendra was not just an actor — he was family.

Sharad Pawar’s Tribute to ‘Veeru’

NCP leader Sharad Pawar shared a detailed condolence note, remembering how Dharmendra created a distinct space for himself in cinema and politics alike. He fondly recalled that the water-tank scene from Sholay is still recreated in political rallies, proving Veeru’s everlasting cultural impact.

Dharmendra’s Political Phase

Not many actors transition from stardom to politics successfully. Dharmendra did.

In 2004, he was elected as a BJP MP from Bikaner, though he remained better known for his cinematic charm than his political tenure.

A Life Captured in Photographs

Numerous media outlets, fans, and film historians shared rare photographs of Dharmendra:

On-set images from classics
Never-seen family moments
Vintage promotional shots
Still frames from his most iconic films

Each picture told the story of a man who embraced life, stardom, romance, and friendship with open arms.

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Dharmendra’s Seven Most Iconic Films

As the world looks back, film lovers and critics have begun revisiting Dharmendra’s greatest works. The seven universally acclaimed masterpieces that define his legacy include:

Sholay
Phool Aur Patthar
Chupke Chupke
Seeta Aur Geeta
Satyakam
Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Dharam Veer

These films cement why he remains one of the greatest stars to ever grace Indian cinema.

Crowds Gather at Vile Parle Crematorium

By afternoon, crowds of fans, journalists, and industry members gathered at the Vile Parle crematorium as updates trickled in about the funeral rituals. Many described it as a heartbreaking moment — witnessing the final journey of a man whose presence shaped generations.

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Dharmendra’s Final Chapter

The official statement from the family described his passing as peaceful. He spent his last days surrounded by loved ones, reportedly reminiscing about old films and listening to his favourite music.

For millions of fans, Dharmendra was more than the He-Man — he was the romantic dreamer, the action superstar, the man who made friendship an emotion, and the hero whose simplicity won over India long before stardom became a brand.

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