Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars and fondly remembered as “Veeru” from Sholay, passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, defence minister Rajnath Singh confirmed.
He was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted earlier this week after his health deteriorated.
Earlier this week, Dharmendra’s wife and veteran actress Hema Malini had reassured fans that the actor was under observation and thanked them for their prayers. “I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji, who is in the hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored, and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery,” she had posted on Instagram.
Dharmendra Death News: Catch all live updates here
On Monday evening, family members were spotted arriving at the Mumbai hospital, including Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Karan Deol, and Rajveer Deol.
Bollywood celebrities also reached to check on Dharmendra's health, including the likes of Salman Khan, Govinda, and Ameesha Patel.
Dharmendra, whose career spanned over six decades, appeared in more than 250 films and was known for his versatile performances in Phool Aur Patthar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Pratiggya, Dharam Veer, and Sholay. In recent years, he made a successful comeback with Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).
Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village of Punjab’s Ludhiana district, Dharmendra’s journey to stardom began after he won a talent contest organised by Filmfare in the late 1950s. His first major hit, Phool Aur Patthar (1966), earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading man of the era. His on-screen chemistry with actresses like Hema Malini, Mumtaz, and Asha Parekh became iconic, and his portrayal of “Veeru” in Sholay turned him into a household name.
Also Read: Dharmendra health update- Bollywood icon was hospitalised for a week in Mumbai
Fondly called the “He-Man of Bollywood,” Dharmendra was admired not only for his rugged looks and action roles but also for his humility and charm off-screen. He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Apart from films, Dharmendra also had a stint in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner between 2004 and 2009 as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The actor is survived by his wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Esha and Ahana Deol. His final film, Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is yet to be released.
He was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted earlier this week after his health deteriorated.
Earlier this week, Dharmendra’s wife and veteran actress Hema Malini had reassured fans that the actor was under observation and thanked them for their prayers. “I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji, who is in the hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored, and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery,” she had posted on Instagram.
Dharmendra Death News: Catch all live updates here
On Monday evening, family members were spotted arriving at the Mumbai hospital, including Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Karan Deol, and Rajveer Deol.
Bollywood celebrities also reached to check on Dharmendra's health, including the likes of Salman Khan, Govinda, and Ameesha Patel.
Dharmendra, whose career spanned over six decades, appeared in more than 250 films and was known for his versatile performances in Phool Aur Patthar, Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Pratiggya, Dharam Veer, and Sholay. In recent years, he made a successful comeback with Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).
Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village of Punjab’s Ludhiana district, Dharmendra’s journey to stardom began after he won a talent contest organised by Filmfare in the late 1950s. His first major hit, Phool Aur Patthar (1966), earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading man of the era. His on-screen chemistry with actresses like Hema Malini, Mumtaz, and Asha Parekh became iconic, and his portrayal of “Veeru” in Sholay turned him into a household name.
Also Read: Dharmendra health update- Bollywood icon was hospitalised for a week in Mumbai
Fondly called the “He-Man of Bollywood,” Dharmendra was admired not only for his rugged looks and action roles but also for his humility and charm off-screen. He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Apart from films, Dharmendra also had a stint in politics, serving as a Member of Parliament from Bikaner between 2004 and 2009 as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The actor is survived by his wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Esha and Ahana Deol. His final film, Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is yet to be released.
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