By Ghazali Ibrahim
Veteran film star Dharmendra Deol, widely regarded as one of the defining icons of Indian cinema from the 1960s to the 1980s, passed away on Monday morning at his Mumbai home. He was 89 years old.
The actor’s death, confirmed by medical officials and widely reported by different outlets.
Dharmendra’s illustrious career began after he moved from his native Punjab to Mumbai and broke into Hindi films in the early 1960s. Over six decades, he starred in more than 300 films, gaining fame for action roles and his signature charisma.
His performance in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay where he played the unforgettable “Veeru” remains a cornerstone of Bollywood history.
In addition to his screen legacy, Dharmendra served as a Member of Parliament between 2004 and 2009. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2012 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor on social media, describing his passing as “the end of an era in Indian cinema.”
Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur, his second wife and long‑time co‑star Hema Malini, and six children including actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
With his death, Indian cinema mourns a true legend whose on‑screen heroism, versatility, and warmth left an indelible mark on generations of film‑goers and actors alike.
