Veteran actress Zeenat Aman is mourning the loss of Dharmendra. On Monday, she shared a few throwback images on her Instagram from movies where they appeared together.
In her heartfelt caption, she expressed her sadness, writing, “I am so sad to learn that the world lost a jewel from the Hindi film industry today. Dharam ji was always amongst my favourite co-stars, and I am blessed to have worked alongside him in a number of movies.”
Zeenat elaborated on Dharmendra’s character, stating, “For an introverted personality such as myself, his down-to-earth demeanour and natural kindness were a warm comfort on set. At times when the pressure, glitz, and glam felt horribly garish, there he was with no pretences or guile. A sweet reminder that life is about the real things, not the fluff. My heartfelt condolences to his family; may it be of some solace that his legacy is cherished by millions of Inddigihunt around the world.”
Dharmendra was one of Bollywood’s most enduring and beloved stars. Born in 1935 in Punjab, he began his career in the early 1960s after being discovered through a talent hunt competition. In the late 1950s, Filmfare magazine, in collaboration with Bimal Roy Productions, organized a nationwide contest to find new faces for Hindi cinema.
Dharmendra entered the competition and won in 1958, recognized for his striking looks and natural charm. This victory opened the door to the film industry, and the same talent hunt later discovered Rajesh Khanna, one of Hindi cinema’s biggest superstars.
He quickly rose to fame, thanks to his charming looks, emotional depth, and effortless screen presence. His versatility allowed him to excel in romance, action, and comedy alike. Some of his most iconic films include ‘Phool Aur Patthar,’ which established him as a leading man, and ‘Sholay,’ where his portrayal of the lovable, witty Veeru became legendary.
Dharmendra was also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India.