Dharmendra: The Man, The Myth, The Legend Dharmendra was born in Punjab in December 1935 and rose from modest beginnings to become the star of hits that shaped Bollywood’s golden age. Nicknamed “He-Man” for his blend of ruggedness and charisma, he became synonymous with honest heroes and loveable action stars. Starting his career in the early 1960s, Dharmendra quickly captivated audiences with romantic and dramatic roles before venturing into action, comedy, and family films. Dharmendra often said he was 'embarrassed' by talk about his looks. Source : BBC News Career Overview Debut: Early 1960s, with romantic hits targeting female audiences. Versatility: Seamlessly shifted between action (Phool Aur Patthar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh), drama, and comedy (Seeta Aur Geeta, Chupke Chupke). Iconic Role: Veeru in Sholay (1975), a performance cherished across generations. Records: Over 300 films, eight major box office hits in a single year (1973), and seven consecutive hits in 1987. Awards: Padma Bhushan (2012), Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award (2017), Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. Family: Father to actors Sunny and Bobby Deol; married to Hema Malini and Prakash Kaur. Dharmendra (right) with Amjad Khan in Sholay Source : BBC News The Enduring Impact Dharmendra’s influence can be traced through: The evolution of the Bollywood hero from idealistic lovers to men of action and resilience. Depiction of strength with emotional grounding—a blueprint for dozens of actors after him. Commercial achievements as a box-office king; his films defined the terms of popular stardom longer than anyone in the industry. Ongoing legacy through the Deol family’s contributions to film and public service. Dharmendra with wife Bollywood actor Hema Malini Source : BBC News Final Days and Farewell Dharmendra died at his Juhu home in Mumbai after weeks of age-related illness, days before his 90th birthday. He had been hospitalized several times in late 2025 and was cremated at the Pawan Hans crematorium in the presence of close family, friends, and industry colleagues. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, calling him “the conclusion of an era in Indian cinema”. Real World Legacy and Tributes Fans mourned both in India and abroad, honouring his image as the ultimate Bollywood macho man with a warm heart. International media recognized him as one of the few Indian stars to become a true global icon. Industry peers, including Amitabh Bachchan, paid respects at his funeral, and social media filled with memories and homage. Dharmendra with sons Sunny (right) and Bobby Deol (left) at his Mumbai residence Source : AFP via Getty Images Sources and Citations BBC, NY Times, Reuters, NDTV, Indian Express for obituary details and tributes. Filmfare, The Hans India, Dazzlerr, Wikipedia for career highlights and biographical features. Disclaimer This article is based on publicly available news and tribute reports, and aims to inform readers about Dharmendra’s life and legacy. The author claims no responsibility for subsequent developments.