Dharmendra’s Final Days and Health Struggles
Dharmendra had been battling critical health issues for several months. According to family sources, the actor had been experiencing severe breathing difficulties, which led to frequent hospitalizations. He was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on November 10 after his condition deteriorated. Reports suggest he was placed on a ventilator for two days.
On November 12, at the insistence of his family, Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital and continued receiving treatment at his Juhu residence. Despite extensive medical care, his health continued to decline due to age-related complications.
Tragically, Dharmendra passed away just 14 days before his 90th birthday.
Emotional Farewell at Pawan Hans Crematorium
Dharmendra’s last rites were performed at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle. The Deol family—Hema Malini, Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol—were present, deeply emotional as they bid farewell to their beloved patriarch. Industry veterans, including Amitabh Bachchan, also arrived to offer their last respects.
According to sources, Sunny Deol lit the funeral pyre, a moment that left the entire family and countless admirers in tears.
A Bittersweet Moment: Motion Poster of “Ikkis” Released on the Same Day
In a poignant coincidence, the motion poster of Dharmendra’s upcoming film Ikkis was released on the very same day he passed away. The project was one of his final on-screen works, making the release both emotional and symbolic for fans and filmmakers.
Early Life: From Punjab’s Villages to India’s Biggest Superstar
Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village in Ludhiana, Dharmendra was originally named Kewal Krishan Deol. Raised in a Punjabi Jat family, he spent his childhood in Sahnewal village and studied at the Government Senior Middle School in Lalton Kalan, where his father served as the school principal.
From humble beginnings to becoming one of Bollywood’s most adored stars, Dharmendra’s journey remains an inspiring tale of talent, perseverance, and passion.
Dharmendra’s Family and Personal Life
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 at the young age of 19, before stepping into the film industry. The couple shares four children—Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta, and Ajeeta.
After entering films, Dharmendra met Hema Malini, and the two eventually married—a union that stirred significant controversy at the time. While rumors suggested a conversion to Islam for marriage, Dharmendra later dismissed these claims, stating he remained Hindu and that his family was Arya Samaji.
With Hema Malini, he has two daughters—Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
A Legendary Career Spanning Six Decades
Dharmendra made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His breakthrough came in the mid-1960s through films such as:
Aaye Milan Ki Bela
Phool Aur Patthar
Aaye Din Bahar Ke
His performance in Phool Aur Patthar (1966), opposite Meena Kumari, earned him widespread recognition and established him as Bollywood’s beloved action hero.
Over the years, he delivered iconic films including:
Mera Gaon Mera Desh
Sholay (as the unforgettable Veeru)
Yaadon Ki Baraat
Chupke Chupke
Dharam Veer
Pratigya
The Burning Train
Ghulami
Hukumat
With over 300 films to his credit, Dharmendra remains one of the most successful and handsome stars in Indian cinema. Remarkably, he holds the record for maximum hit films in Bollywood, delivering seven consecutive hits and nine successful releases in a single year in 1987.
Dharmendra in His Later Years: Evergreen and Unforgettable
Even in his later years, Dharmendra proved his versatility through memorable performances in films such as:
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
Life in a… Metro
Apne
Johnny Gaddaar
Yamla Pagla Deewana trilogy
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
Teri Baatein Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya
His ability to adapt to modern cinema while staying true to his classic charm made him a cherished presence across generations.
The End of an Era, But a Legacy That Lives Forever
Dharmendra’s passing is an irreplaceable loss to Indian cinema. His films, dialogues, and charisma have left an indelible mark on Bollywood’s history. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy will continue to inspire millions, and his contributions will forever be etched in the hearts of film lovers.
Dharmendra—the hero, the legend, the He-Man—may have left this world, but his stories, performances, and memories will live on eternally.
May his soul rest in peace.
