Dharmendra, one of Bollywood’s most recognisable leading men and a defining action star for generations, has died at his Mumbai residence aged 89, local media announced on Monday. The actor had been unwell for several weeks and died at home surrounded by family, reports said.
Although his family has not released an official statement, a number of film industry figures attended his funeral in the Juhu district, among them screen icon Amitabh Bachchan.
Tributes on social media reflected the depth of his influence. Filmmaker Karan Johar praised him as an “embodiment of a hero” in a post commemorating the actor, who appeared in Johar’s 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.
With a career that stretched over six decades and more than 300 films, Dharmendra became a household name across India. Born in Punjab in 1935, he moved to Mumbai after winning a talent competition and made his debut in 1960. His film choices spanned arthouse dramas, romantic features and broad comedies, as well as the action roles that defined his screen persona.
His most celebrated performance came in the 1975 epic Sholay, regarded as one of India’s greatest films. His character, part of a duo of petty criminals recruited to capture a feared bandit, became a staple of pop culture, with the film’s dialogue still quoted and parodied nearly 50 years later.
Dharmendra married actress Hema Malini in 1980 after co-starring in several films, while remaining married to his first wife, Prakash Kaur. He fathered six children, several of whom followed him into the film industry.
In addition to his film career, he served as a member of parliament between 2004 and 2009. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, calling him “a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played”.
