Dharmendra Passes Away at 89. A truly iconic chapter in the history of Indian cinema has closed. Veteran actor Dharmendra, the original “He-Man” of Bollywood, has passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89. The legendary star, who had been struggling with age-related health issues for some time, breathed his last on Monday, November 24, 2025.
The news, though expected by those who followed his recent health battles, has sent a wave of shock and profound sadness across the film fraternity and the nation. Dharmendra had been receiving treatment for respiratory problems and other age-related ailments at Breach Candy Hospital last month. Although he was discharged on November 12 and was recovering at home, his health took a turn for the worse on Monday.
The actor, who would have turned 90 on December 8, passed away at his Mumbai residence. An ambulance was seen leaving his Juhu home, and soon after, celebrities began to pour into the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, confirming the heartbreaking news that the beloved legend was no more.
Filmmaker Karan Johar posted an emotional tribute that served as the first public Dharmendra death confirmation, calling it “an end of an ERA.” The massive gathering of stars at the crematorium cemented the devastating loss of one of Indian cinema’s most charming and versatile actors.
I. The Final Journey: Bollywood Comes Together
The sudden activity outside Dharmendra’s residence and the subsequent gathering at the crematorium was a visible sign of the tragedy. The event turned into a rare, sombre gathering of Bollywood’s biggest names, all paying their final respects to a universally loved senior artist.
- Family United in Grief: The Deol family, including wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, were present to oversee the final rituals. His grandsons, including Karan Deol and Agastya Nanda, were also there, representing the three generations of the Deol film legacy.
- The Industry Pays Homage: The list of attendees for the final rites was testament to Dharmendra’s enormous standing. In attendance were Bollywood royalty: Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan (accompanied by his father, Salim Khan), Akshay Kumar, and Sanjay Dutt, alongside directors like Anil Sharma and Ashutosh Gowarikar.
- PM’s Condolence: The national significance of his passing was underlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shared a tribute via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The passing of Dharmendra Ji marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He was an iconic film personality… admired for his simplicity, humility and warmth.”
II. The Health Battle: A Quiet Fight Ends
Dharmendra’s final months were marked by a valiant, but ultimately losing, battle against illness. The official cause of death has not been disclosed by the family, but it is known to be related to his prolonged age-related health decline.
- Respiratory Illness: The actor was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in late October after complaining of breathlessness. His condition was reported to have been serious, requiring a brief period of ventilator support before he stabilised and was discharged on November 12 to continue treatment at home.
- Family’s Privacy Plea: The family had faced a very public ordeal recently when false death rumours circulated across social media. Both Hema Malini and Esha Deol had issued strong statements refuting the fake news and pleading for privacy, highlighting the emotional strain of dealing with his fragile health.
- Commitment to Work: Even while battling illness, Dharmendra’s commitment to cinema remained unbreakable. He was last seen in a cameo in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024) and gave a memorable performance in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). His next and final cinematic appearance will be in Sriram Raghavan’s war drama, Ikkis, set for release next month.
III. An Unforgettable Legacy: The Original Action Star
Born Dharam Singh Deol in a small village in Punjab, Dharmendra’s six-decade-long career, which featured over 300 films, saw him effortlessly switch genres and maintain superstardom across generations.
- The Versatile Star: He first captivated audiences as the sensitive romantic lead in films like Bandini and Anupama. He then redefined the action hero in Bollywood, earning the monikers “He-Man” and “Garam Dharam” with hits like Phool Aur Patthar, Dharam Veer, and Pratiggya.
- The Sholay Phenomenon: His role as the lovable rogue Veeru in the all-time classic Sholay (1975), and his on-screen chemistry with co-star Amitabh Bachchan, created cinematic history and remains the benchmark for Bollywood camaraderie. Yet, he was equally brilliant in light-hearted comedies like Chupke Chupke and intense dramas like the critically acclaimed Satyakam.
- Awards and Honours: In recognition of his monumental contribution, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2012. His legacy continues powerfully through the acting careers of his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, and his family remains one of the most respected dynasties in Hindi cinema.
- Karan Johar’s Heartfelt Tribute: Reflecting the sentiment of the younger generation, Karan Johar’s tribute resonated: “It is an end of an ERA… The embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence… He is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… his incredible warmth will be missed more than words can describe.”
The passing of the “He-Man” leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of Indian cinema. The nation mourns the loss of a legend whose charm and sheer screen presence defined generations of film lovers.
Ashish Rai is a professional automotive writer with four years of experience crafting reviews, features, and technical guides. Passionate about vehicles, he translates complex engineering concepts into engaging content. Covering market trends, EV developments, and driving experiences, Ashish delivers insightful, reader-friendly articles that ignite automotive enthusiasm worldwide consistently with integrity.
