Bollywood star Dharmendra has died in the Indian city of Mumbai at the age of 89. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor, saying his passing 'marks the end of an era in Indian cinema'.
Dharmendra, who often described himself as 'a simple man', commanded extraordinary affection and loyalty from his tens of millions of fans.
Best known as Veeru, the lovable petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, many hits, captivating audiences for decades.
Songs featuring him topped the charts, and his romance and marriage with Hema Malini made headlines. Dubbed the 'original He-Man of Bollywood' and 'Garam (hot) Dharam', the actor often made it to global lists of 'most handsome men' in his heyday, with female fans known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows.
Bollywood stars weren't immune to his charms either — over the years, actress Madhuri Dixit described him as 'one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen', while superstar Salman Khan said Dharmendra was the 'most beautiful looking man', and actress Jaya Bachchan called him 'a Greek God'.
Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village in Punjab, Dharmendra's journey in cinema began after winning a talent contest, which led him to Bombay (now Mumbai) against the wishes of his family who initially wanted him to focus on education.
Throughout his three-decade reign, Dharmendra rose to fame with films like Bandini and Phool Aur Patthar. He was known for his chiseled physique, performing daring stunts, and his impeccable comic timing.
His 1975 role as Veeru in Sholay remains iconic, often referred to as the 'soul of the film'. Despite numerous hits, he never secured the number one slot in Bollywood but remained a beloved figure.
Dharmendra's legacy lives on through his contributions to cinema, and his ability to connect emotionally with fans remains unmatched. His death has elicited heartfelt tributes from industry insiders, marking a significant loss to Indian cinema.
