Veteran Bollywood Icon Dharmendra Passes Away at 89 in Mumbai

Mumbai: Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai on Monday. His family was spotted by the media outside a crematorium on Monday noon. This update came two weeks after the legedary actor was brought back home from the hospital, where he was in treatment for respiratory related issues. The 89-year-old actor had been in and out of south Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital for several days.

A police statement said Dharmendra died this morning and funeral arrangements are being made at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Ville Parle suburb of Mumbai. While his family has not confirmed his death, friends of the family including Director Karan Johar, and other famous personalities from the film and political fraternity shared the news of his demise.

Regarded as one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, Dharmendra began his career with the 1960 film 'Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere'. The actor, who proved his talent equally in intense and comic roles, was felicitated with Padma Bhushan, the nation's third highest civilian honour from the Government of India, in 2012.

Dharmendra is known for his iconic performances in films such as ‘Ayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Phool Aur Patthar’, ‘Dost’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Pratiggya’, ‘Charas’, ‘Dharam Veer’, among others.

In 2023, he was seen in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, directed by Karan Johar.

Dharmendra had a short-lived political career as well. The actor contested from Bikaner in Rajasthan during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and served the constituency till 2009. He did not return to politics after this even though his wife Hema continues to be a serving Member of Parliament and his son Sunny has also been an active politician in the past.

Dharmendra is survived by his wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and six children -- actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol, along with Ajeeta and Vijeta.