Dharmendra Dies At 89: Why Bollywood's First Action Hero Received Title Of He-Man?

Much

before Bollywood actors got the title of ‘Action Hero’, Dharmendra attained the tag of He-Man. He raised the benchmark higher than ever. Not everyone has been able to match the standard he set as an actor who could romance, make jokes land and pull off adrenaline pumping action with ease. The title of He-Man, which was given only to Dharmendra, remained his until the last day.

Why Dharmendra was called He-Man?

Many generations recognised Dharmendra as He-Man, India’s answer to international superheroes. When he shot to fame in the 1960s and 70s, the actor started building his legacy as Bollywood’s action hero pioneer. Signing films like Phool Aur Patthar, Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Ghulami, he used his ‘dhai kilo ka haath’ and larger-than-life personality to carve his space in the industry. With a well-built physique, Dharmendra challenged the quintessential norm for a hero. Before Salman Khan, John Abraham, and Tiger Shroff, it was Dharmendra who made women gush over his toned body.Dharmendra, even in his 80s, lived up to the title of the first muscular commercial hero. Often, he would share videos, giving a glimpse into his intense workout sessions. Maintaining a great physique at 89, Dharmendra made action films look grand and believable without testing physics and its laws. He has been an inspiration to the new action heroes. A true action superstar, he coined a new genre with his on-screen presence.

Dharmendra Death

Dharmendra, survived by his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini and children, died at the age of 89. He was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital due to breathlessness on Monday. The Deols had earlier confirmed that the veteran actor was responding well to the treatment. However, on Tuesday, he breathed his last. Dharmendra, born as Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol in Punjab in 1935, became one of the most admired stars of Bollywood. He acted in films including Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dharam Veer, Chupke Chupke, Seeta Aur Geeta and many others.