There are actors, and then there is Dharmendra. The man who made fans smile, cry, hate and love him all at the same time. For decades, he has been Bollywood's one and only 'He-Man'. It won't be wrong to say that Dharmendra did not just play the characters, but he lived them and made them iconic.
The veteran actor died on Monday, November 24, at 89.
Be it Veeru to his Jai or Rocky Randhawa's “Bade Papa”, Dharmendra was the hero every man wanted to be, and every woman adored.
Born in Punjab in 1935, Dharmendra made his acting debut in the 1960 film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. The Arjun Hingorani directorial featured him in the role of Ashok. In the mid-1960s, Dharmendra found his groove. Phool Aur Patthar (1966) changed everything. The film not only made him a superstar but also gave him the tag of Bollywood's ‘He-Man'. In 1969, Satyakam was released, and the rest is history.
What made Dharmendra special was his effortless mix of good looks, emotion and honesty. He could beat up villains in one scene and make you tear up in the next. He was as convincing as the no-nonsense man in Yakeen (1969) as he was the hopeless romantic in Chupke Chupke (1975).
The 1970s were Dharmendra's golden era. The year kicked off with Mera Gaon Mera Desh and Yaadon Ki Baaraat. Then came Sholay (1975), one of the biggest hits in Indian cinema history. As Veeru, his chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan's Jai lives in our hearts rent-free. Lines like “Basanti, in kutto ke saamne mat naachna” still bring a smile decades later. Around the same time, Dharmendra gave another gem with Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chupke Chupke. As Professor Parimal Tripathi, the actor showed his funny and mischievous side.
Then came Dream Girl (1977) with Hema Malini, and audiences saw a different magic – the real-life chemistry between the two stars. Their pairing became one of Bollywood's most loved ones. Together, the duo did several memorable films, including Seeta Aur Geeta, Sharafat, Raja Jani and Jugnu. Off-screen too, their love story became a part of Bollywood history.
How can we not mention Dharam Veer, featuring the OG jodi Dharmendra and Jeetendra? The 1997 classic also starred Zeenat Aman, Neetu Singh, Pran, Jeevan, Sujit Kumar.
Through the 1980s, Dharmendra stayed a strong presence on screen. He took on more action-heavy roles in films like The Burning Train, Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Rajput and Naukar Biwi Ka.
By the 1990s, Dharmendra started taking fewer roles but never faded from memory. He focused more on supporting parts and launching his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, into films. Yet, whenever he appeared – whether in Kshatriya (1993) or Life in a... Metro (2007) – audiences could not help but cheer for him. In Apne (2007), watching him share the screen with his sons was special for fans who had grown up with his movies.
Fast forward to 2011, in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Dharmendra brought back his old charm and humour alongside his sons. In Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), he proved that age could never dim his warmth. His portrayal of the gentle and loving Bade Papa reminded everyone why he remains so adored. That moment where he softly recites poetry became one of the film's most emotional highlights. Oh, and who can forget his on-screen kiss with Shabana Azmi?
Dharmendra was last seen in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. The project, released in February 2024, featured Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. The legend's next film, Ikkis, will hit the theatres on December 25. The movie also stars Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat.
