BB Desk
Indian cinema feels a little dimmer as Dharmendra, a towering Star whose presence once ignited the screens with effortless charm and unshakeable strength — has left this world, leaving behind a silence that feels far too large for one’s heart to hold.
Born on December 8 in a quiet village in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol lived a journey that reflected the very arc of Hindi cinema—rooted in simplicity, lifted by dreams, and carried forward by sheer sincerity. Long before becoming one of Bollywood’s most enduring icons, he was a 19-year-old newlywed to Prakash Kaur in 1954, plunging into adulthood with responsibilities in one hand and ambition in the other.
His tryst with cinema began in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, a modest debut that quietly launched a performer who would soon redefine screen charisma. Over the next six decades, Dharmendra established a career distinguished by stark contrasts: the passion of a tragic hero and the ease of a natural comic. His body of work became a catalogue of Hindi cinema’s most treasured times.
Films like Anupama, Phool Aur Patthar, Chupke Chupke, Sholay, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Yaadon Ki Baarat and many more—were not just hits; they were cultural touchstones. Families laughed with him, cried with him, admired him, and saw pieces of themselves in his tenacity and vulnerability.
For decades, he wasn’t just an actor; he was an emotion. He had an indisputably human quality about him—a warmth that seeped through his smile, a sincerity that influenced every character he played.
The Indian Government honoured him with a Padma Bhushan in 2012, acknowledging a career that impacted generations, shaped audiences, and stood as a pillar of mainstream Hindi cinema.
Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 at his Juhu home following a brief illness on November 24. The actor was cremated at the Pawan Hans Crematorium amid tight security. Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and others attended the funeral.
Fitting for a man whose career spanned eras, his final appearance will come posthumously in Ikkis, starring young Agastya Nanda and releasing on December 25, 2025—a last curtain call from an artist who remained close to the audience’s heart until the very end.
Dharmendra’s story is not merely one of superstardom but of warmth, resilience, and a rare authenticity. His legacy will live on through the performances that carried truth, characters that persisted even after the credits rolled, and through a personality that remained grounded even at the peak.
Alvida Dharamji.
