Veteran Actor Dharmendra Passes Away at 89 in Mumbai

Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai on Monday, November 24, at the age of 89. His death came after hours of intense speculation, triggered when an ambulance escorted by heavy security was spotted arriving at his residence earlier in the day.

Dharmendra, who had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital on November 12, was reportedly recovering at home. He would have celebrated his 90th birthday on December 8.

Final Journey

His mortal remains were taken to the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle, with close family members accompanying the ambulance. Several members of the film fraternity — including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan — arrived to pay their last respects to the iconic star.

Dharmendra is survived by his wife Hema Malini, his first wife Prakash Kaur, and his children Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol.

A Six-Decade Career That Defined Hindi Cinema

Widely regarded as one of the most successful and beloved actors in Indian cinema, Dharmendra worked in over 300 films across six decades. Known as the “He-Man of Bollywood”, he held the record for the highest number of hit films. In 2012, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

He began his acting journey with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960). The mid-1960s catapulted him to stardom with hits such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.

Over the decades, Dharmendra delivered some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable and commercially successful films, including:

• Ankhen

• Mera Gaon Mera Desh

• Seeta Aur Geeta

• Jugnu

• Sholay

• Pratiggya

• Dharam Veer

• Ghulami

• Hukumat

• Aag Hi Aag

A Graceful Transition to Character Roles

From the late 1990s onwards, Dharmendra transitioned into character-driven roles in films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a... Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

He was last seen in the 2024 sci-fi romance Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.

His Final Film

Dharmendra’s upcoming film, Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is slated for release in December. The film is based on the life of Param Vir Chakra recipient Arun Khetarpal, and stars Agastya Nanda, Simar Bhatia, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Sikandar Kher.