Veteran Bollywood star Dharmendra, aged 89, has passed away.
Sources close to the family confirmed the news. The octogenarian had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on November 12 and was reported to be in a stable condition, recovering well at home. Dr. Rajiv Sharma from the hospital noted at the time that the legendary star had left with “full satisfaction” after receiving the necessary treatment.
In his update on Dharmendra’s health, he stated, “Dharmendra ji has gone from the hospital with full satisfaction. His family has taken him home. Everything has been arranged for him.” He requested the public to refrain from spreading false news and instead pray for Dharmendra’s recovery so he could celebrate his next birthday with pride.
Earlier, on November 10, sources indicated that Dharmendra was critical and on life support when admitted to Breach Candy Hospital. He had been under the strict medical observation of top doctors since October 31.
The superstar was set to turn 90 on December 8. Professionally, Dharmendra was last seen in the movie “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,” released in 2024 alongside actors Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. He is expected to appear next in “Ikkis,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sriram Raghavan. This war drama is based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipient, and features Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia, along with Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher in significant roles, with a release slated for December.
Dharmendra is regarded as one of the greatest, most handsome, and most commercially successful film stars in the history of Indian cinema. His career spanned over six decades, during which he appeared in more than 300 films. He held the record for the most hit films in Hindi cinema and was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2012.
The actor made his debut in 1960 with “Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.” He first gained popularity in the mid-1960s for films such as “Ayee Milan Ki Bela,” “Phool Aur Patthar,” and “Aaye Din Bahar Ke.” From the late-1960s to the 1980s, he starred in several successful Hindi films, including “Ankhen,” “Shikar,” “Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke,” “Jeevan Mrityu,” “Mera Gaon Mera Desh,” “Seeta Aur Geeta,” “Raja Jani,” “Jugnu,” “Yaadon Ki Baaraat,” “Dost,” “Sholay,” “Pratiggya,” “Charas,” “Dharam Veer,” “Chacha Bhatija,” “Ghulami,” “Hukumat,” “Aag Hi Aag,” “Elaan-E-Jung,” “Tahalka,” “Anpadh,” “Bandini,” “Haqeeqat,” “Anupama,” “Mamta,” “Majhli Didi,” “Satyakam,” “Naya Zamana,” “Samadhi,” “Resham Ki Dori,” “Chupke Chupke,” “Dillagi,” “The Burning Train,” “Ghazab,” “Do Dishayen,” and “Hathyar.”
In the late 1990s, he took on character roles in several successful and acclaimed films, including “Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,” “Life in a… Metro,” “Apne,” “Johnny Gaddaar,” “Yamla Pagla Deewana,” “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” and “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.”