Dharmendra: The He-Man of Cinema Passes Away at 89

An End of an Era: Celebrating the Monumental Legacy of Dharmendra, The He-Man of Indian Cinema

The world of Indian cinema is draped in profound mourning following the passing of one of its most colossal figures, Dharmendra. The veteran Bollywood actor, universally celebrated as the "He-Man" of Indian cinema, died on a Monday morning at his Mumbai residence. He was 89 years old, and his death occurred just 14 days short of what would have been his 90th birthday, scheduled for December 8.

The industry is grappling with this profound loss, recognized across the nation as the end of an era. Filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed the star in his recent film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, was among the first to publicly confirm the news, writing movingly on Instagram that "It is an end of an ERA… a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema".

Details of His Final Days and National Mourning

Dharmendra’s passing followed a prolonged illness. The iconic star had been struggling with respiratory difficulties since late October. His health necessitated admission to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 after he complained of breathlessness. The actor was placed on ventilator support around November 10. After receiving nearly two weeks of intensive treatment, Dharmendra was discharged on November 12 at approximately 7:30 a.m., as his family decided to continue his comprehensive care at home. Following his passing, his death was officially confirmed by police sources present at the cremation ground.

The news immediately triggered a cascade of tributes from the highest levels of Indian government and across the film fraternity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage, stating that Dharmendra's passing "marks the end of an era in Indian cinema". Modi lauded the late actor as "an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played". President Droupadi Murmu also acknowledged his contribution, calling his death "a great loss to Indian cinema" and recognizing his decades-long career and memorable performances. These heartfelt tributes acknowledged Dharmendra's profound impact and the depth of the nation's grief for the beloved star.

A Six-Decade Career of Immortality

Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali, Punjab, his monumental career spanned over six decades. During this time, he appeared in an astonishing more than 300 films.

Dharmendra made his official film debut in 1960 with the movie Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. While that marked his entry, his true breakthrough, which cemented his image, came six years later with Phool Aur Patthar (1966). This seminal film firmly established his enduring action-hero persona.

However, the role that achieved his immortality in cinematic history was his portrayal of the character Veeru in Ramesh Sippy's blockbuster Sholay (1975). In this film, he starred alongside his frequent collaborator, Amitabh Bachchan.

His lifelong contribution to Indian arts and culture was formally recognized in 2012 when he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, which is India's third-highest civilian award.

Final Goodbyes and Enduring Projects

The last rites for the iconic actor were performed at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle. The final rituals were conducted by his eldest son, Sunny Deol.

The cremation saw a gathering of Dharmendra’s extended family and several luminaries from the Bollywood industry. Family members present included both of his wives, Hema Malini and Prakash Kaur, his sons Bobby Deol, his daughters Esha Deol, and his nephew Abhay Deol. The list of Bollywood celebrities who gathered to pay their final respects was extensive, featuring legendary figures such as Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Sanjay Dutt.

Although his incredible career has now concluded, Dharmendra's cinematic presence will be felt one last time with the release of his final film, Ikkis. This movie, which features Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, is currently scheduled for release on December 25.

Dharmendra's legacy is defined by his profound charisma, his massive contribution to mainstream cinema, and his ability to embody the quintessential hero. His death is truly a monumental loss to Indian cinema.

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50 Question and Answer Pairs on Dharmendra's Life and Passing

I. Details of Passing and Illness

1. Question: What was the age of Dharmendra when he passed away?

   Answer: He died at the age of 89.

2. Question: Where did the veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra die?

   Answer: He died at his Mumbai residence.

3. Question: On which day of the week did Dharmendra pass away?

   Answer: He died on a Monday morning.

4. Question: What was the general cause of Dharmendra's death?

   Answer: His death followed a prolonged illness.

5. Question: What specific health difficulty had Dharmendra been struggling with prior to his death?

   Answer: He had been struggling with respiratory difficulties.

6. Question: Since when had Dharmendra been struggling with respiratory difficulties?

   Answer: Since late October.

7. Question: When was Dharmendra admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital?

   Answer: He was admitted on October 31.

8. Question: What was Dharmendra complaining of when he was admitted to the hospital?

   Answer: He was complaining of breathlessness.

9. Question: When was Dharmendra placed on ventilator support?

   Answer: He was placed on ventilator support around November 10.

10. Question: When was Dharmendra discharged from the hospital?

    Answer: He was discharged on November 12.

11. Question: At what approximate time was Dharmendra discharged from the hospital on November 12?

    Answer: He was discharged at approximately 7:30 a.m..

12. Question: Where did his family opt to continue Dharmendra's care after his discharge?

    Answer: His family opted to continue his care at home.

13. Question: How many days short of his 90th birthday was Dharmendra’s passing?

    Answer: He died just 14 days short of his 90th birthday.

14. Question: Who confirmed his death at the cremation ground?

    Answer: Police sources confirmed his death at the cremation ground.

II. Career and Nicknames

15. Question: What popular nickname was Dharmendra widely known by in Indian cinema?

    Answer: He was widely known as the "He-Man" of Indian cinema.

16. Question: How long was Dharmendra's career in cinema?

    Answer: His career spanned over six decades.

17. Question: Approximately how many films did Dharmendra appear in during his career?

    Answer: He appeared in over 300 films.

18. Question: What was the title of Dharmendra's official film debut?

    Answer: His film debut was in 1960 with "Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere".

19. Question: What film marked Dharmendra's career breakthrough?

    Answer: His breakthrough came with "Phool Aur Patthar".

20. Question: In which year was the film "Phool Aur Patthar" released?

    Answer: It was released in 1966.

21. Question: Which film cemented Dharmendra's action-hero persona?

    Answer: "Phool Aur Patthar" (1966) established his action-hero persona.

22. Question: Which film achieved Dharmendra's immortality in cinematic history?

    Answer: He achieved immortality with his role as Veeru in Ramesh Sippy's "Sholay".

23. Question: What was the name of the character Dharmendra played in the film Sholay?

    Answer: He played the role of Veeru.

24. Question: Who did Dharmendra star alongside in the movie Sholay?

    Answer: He starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

25. Question: What was the name of Dharmendra's final film?

    Answer: His final film is "Ikkis".

26. Question: When is Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, scheduled for release?

    Answer: It is scheduled for release on December 25.

27. Question: Whose grandson stars alongside Dharmendra in his final film, Ikkis?

    Answer: Amitabh Bachchan's grandson, Agastya Nanda, stars in Ikkis.

28. Question: What major Indian civilian award did Dharmendra receive?

    Answer: He was honored with the Padma Bhushan.

29. Question: In which year did Dharmendra receive the Padma Bhushan award?

    Answer: He received the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

30. Question: What is the rank of the Padma Bhushan among India's civilian awards?

    Answer: It is India's third-highest civilian award.

III. Birth and Identity

31. Question: What was Dharmendra's full birth name?

    Answer: His full birth name was Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol.

32. Question: When was Dharmendra born?

    Answer: He was born on December 8, 1935.

33. Question: Where was Dharmendra born?

    Answer: He was born in Nasrali, Punjab.

IV. Tributes and Public Mourning

34. Question: Who was among the first in the industry to publicly confirm Dharmendra's death on Instagram?

    Answer: Filmmaker Karan Johar.

35. Question: In which recent film did Karan Johar direct Dharmendra?

    Answer: Karan Johar directed him in "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani".

36. Question: How did Karan Johar describe Dharmendra's passing?

    Answer: He described it as "It is an end of an ERA… a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema".

37. Question: Which major national leader paid tribute to Dharmendra by stating his passing "marks the end of an era in Indian cinema"?

    Answer: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

38. Question: How did PM Modi describe Dharmendra's acting talent?

    Answer: Modi described him as "a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played".

39. Question: Who referred to Dharmendra's death as "a great loss to Indian cinema"?

    Answer: President Droupadi Murmu.

40. Question: What did President Murmu acknowledge about Dharmendra's career?

    Answer: She noted his decades-long career and memorable performances.

41. Question: What feeling did Dharmendra's death trigger across the nation?

    Answer: It triggered the nation's deep mourning for the beloved star.

V. Last Rites and Attendees

42. Question: Where were Dharmendra's last rites performed?

    Answer: His last rites were performed at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle.

43. Question: Who conducted Dharmendra's final rituals?

    Answer: His eldest son, Sunny Deol, conducted the final rituals.

44. Question: Name Dharmendra's two wives who attended the last rites.

    Answer: Hema Malini and Prakash Kaur attended.

45. Question: Name one of Dharmendra's sons who attended the cremation.

    Answer: Bobby Deol.

46. Question: Name one of Dharmendra's daughters who attended the cremation.

    Answer: Esha Deol.

47. Question: Which nephew of Dharmendra attended the last rites?

    Answer: Abhay Deol.

48. Question: Name two Bollywood luminaries, besides his family, who attended the cremation.

    Answer: Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, or Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, or Abhishek Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt.

49. Question: Was Amitabh Bachchan present at the last rites?

    Answer: Yes, Amitabh Bachchan was among those who attended.

50. Question: What overall impact did the sources highlight regarding Dharmendra?

    Answer: The sources highlight Dharmendra's monumental impact on Indian cinema.

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