Dharmendra, Icon of Indian Cinema and Beloved “He-Man” of Bollywood, Passes Away

After over six decades of captivating audiences and leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema, Dharmendra has passed away.

Though he had been unwell for some time, recent rumours of his death, briefly denied by his family, had shaken his admirers. Today the news became heartbreakingly real, as tributes poured in from politicians, actors and fans alike.

Dharmendra was more than a star, he was a storyteller of love, courage and sacrifice. He made people laugh, made them cry, and inspired them with his patriotism. His journey began in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere, for which he earned a modest Rs 51. Throughout the 1960s and '70s, he established himself in romantic and action roles, with films like Phool Aur Patthar (1966) and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1970).

His career peaked in 1975 when he became a household name with the blockbuster Sholay, playing the beloved "Veeru." That film's legacy endures, its dialogues still quoted decades later. It was made on a budget of roughly Rs 3 crore, and Dharmendra was paid Rs1.5 lakh, the highest among the cast.

Even as his fame grew, he faced rejection. Early in his career, some directors told him he did not belong in films—that he should return to his village. But Dharmendra's passion ran deep: as a child, he would walk miles just to catch a movie. In 1958, drawn by a Filmfare advertisement seeking new faces, he auditioned and his dreams began to take shape. Over his career, he acted in more than 300 films, always giving every role his full heart and commitment.

His humility and simplicity won him as much love off-screen as on. Proud of his rural roots, he often said, "I am the son of the soil… I came from a village. I cannot stay away from my roots … it is my mother." In his latter years, he lived quietly, gardening and caring for cows, buffaloes, chickens and ducks — grounded in the same innocence that defined his life.

From 2004 to 2009, Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party, but he later stepped away, admitting that politics was not for him. He once said, "Love is the feeling that takes up residence in the heart." He loved deeply — his family, his fellow actors, his fans — yet he was uncomfortable with praise. Whenever compliments poured in, he would reflect, "If people say such things, then maybe it is so," always cautious not to lose the place his admirers had given him.

Fluent in Urdu, Dharmendra felt a special connection to its poetic beauty. He once expressed his gratitude in verse, "I am indebted to you, Urdu language; in your tongue the expression of feelings of the heart came."

His passing is not just a loss to Indian cinema but to the human spirit: a loss of gentleness, decency, and integrity. In tribute, fans said, "The final spark in the flames of memories has gone out," while others lamented, "The sun of cinema has set; today, the nation stands still." Many called it "the end of an era." Yet his memory will always remain alive — in film, in poetry, and in the hearts of those who knew and admired him.