Dharmendra, Bollywood's original He-Man, dies at 89 — Revisiting his six-decade journey

Veteran actor Dharmendra died on Tuesday (November 24) at the age of 89 in Mumbai.

He was affectionately known as Bollywood's 'He-Man' and 'Dharam Paaji'.

Dharmendra was battling ill health, and he was admitted to Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital for weeks before being discharged on November 12. He was undergoing treatment at home.

The security has been heightened outside Dharmendra's residence.

Several Bollywood actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, have reached Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle.

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| Maharashtra: Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan arrive at Vile Parle Crematorium in Mumbai. An official statement on veteran actor Dharmendra's health is awaited. pic.twitter.com/JIXuoWvq5L

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2025

Film director Karan Johar posted on Instagram, "It is end of an era….. A massive mega star… the embodiment of a hero in mainstream cinema… Incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence… He is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… Defining and richly present in the pages of cinema history…"

Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab's Ludhiana district, Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol went on to embody every shade of the Hindi film hero: from the romantic and poetic to the rebellious and rugged. Over a career spanning more than six decades and 300 films, he not only redefined the image of the Bollywood leading man but also mastered the art of comedy and emotional drama with equal ease.

Few stars matched his magnetic screen presence, whether playing the idealistic Satyapriya in Satyakam, the professor in Chupke Chupke, or the brawny yet tender-hearted Veeru in Sholay.

Making his debut with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960), Dharmendra's rise to superstardom came with Phool Aur Patthar (1966). His on-screen vulnerability in the film's famous "shirtless" scene turned him into the nation's heartthrob overnight, and the "He-Man" moniker followed him for life. The gesture of covering a fainted woman with his shirt, which he personally suggested to the director, would become one of the most iconic images in Hindi cinema.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, Dharmendra ruled the box office with a string of classics, including Anupama, Bandini, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Raja Jani, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Pratiggya, Charas, Chupke Chupke and Sholay. His chemistry with Hema Malini became the stuff of Bollywood legend, and their partnership eventually turned into a real-life love story.

Married first to Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children — including actors Sunny and Bobby Deol — Dharmendra later married Hema Malini in 1980. Together, they had two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol.

In the 1980s, Dharmendra successfully transitioned into action-packed roles with Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, and Elaan-E-Jung. At the same time, he became a producer, founding Vijayta Films, the banner that launched Sunny Deol in Betaab (1983) and Bobby Deol in Barsaat (1995). The company also produced Ghayal (1990), which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film.

Even as he grew older, Dharmendra’s charisma never waned. He charmed audiences again in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Life in a… Metro (2007), Apne (2007), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011). In his later years, he delighted a new generation with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024). His final film, Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is slated for release later this year.