Film industry and leaders pay tribute to Dharmendra

A “bonafide legend” of Indian cinema, “an inspiration for generations” and the “original He-Man” is how celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Karan Johar, remembered Dharmendra who breathed his last on Monday.
Dharmendra, the star who wrote himself into showbiz legend in a 65-year career spanning 300 films ranging from “Satyakam’ to “Sholay”, passed away at the age of 89, according to a police statement. However, there has been no confirmation from the family.
Akshay shared a photo of the late cinema star, saying Dharmendra will continue to live on through his movies. Ajay remembered Dharmendra for his “warmth, generosity and presence”.
Karan, who directed Dharmendra in his 2023 directorial “Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, posted a long note on Instagram. Karan said Dharmendra’s death has left “a gaping hole in the industry”.
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan shared series of pictures on her Instagram handle and captioned them, “Forever in power.” Farhan sent his condolences to the Deol family and said Dharmendra will “forever remain irreplaceable”.
Suniel Shetty posted, “Strength wrapped in grace. Stardom wrapped in warmth. Heroism wrapped in a pure heart. Thats the legacy of Dharam Paaji. To the world he was the He-Man. To those who knew him, he was pure warmth.”
Dharmendra, born Dharam Singh Deol in Punjab in 1935, enjoyed a remarkable six-decade career, featuring in over 300 films and headlining classics such as “Sholay”, “Chupke Chupke”, “Satyakam, “Anupama”, “Seeta Aur Geeta” and many others. He was widely celebrated for his versatility across action, romance and comedy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X and condoled the passing of the Bollywood star.
“Deeply anguished by the demise of legendary Hindi film actor and former MP Shri Dharmendra ji. He brought life to many memorable characters with his unmatched charm and sincerity. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and countless admirers,” he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Dharmendra’s passing an “irreplaceable loss for the Indian film world”. He said that the actor touched the hearts of every citizen for six decades with his finest acting.
“Coming from an ordinary family, he carved an indelible identity for himself in the film industry. Dharmendra ji was one of those rare actors who brought every character he touched to life, and through this very art, he won the hearts of millions of viewers across all age groups. Through his acting, he will forever remain among us. May God grant a place at His sacred feet to the noble soul and bestow strength upon his family and admirers to bear this sorrow,” he said.
Union Minister J.P. Nadda also took to social media and said that Dharmendra left an “indelible mark on the hearts of cinema lovers”.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also took to X and said, “The world of cinema will always cherish the legacy of Dharmendra Ji. Through timeless characters like the brave hero of ‘Sholay’ and the soulful poet of Satyakam, he gave us stories of valour and compassion. His ‘Yaadon ki Baaraat’ will echo through eternity.” Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed sadness, calling the loss “extremely heartbreaking”.
Union MoS Jitendra Singh also extended his condolences to Dharmendra’s family. “Known for his down to earth image, embodying the rich flavour and fragrance of Punjab, the handsome versatile actor whom we grew up watching… will be missed for long… especially whenever there is a replay of a celluloid magic like ‘Devar’ or ‘Anupama’ or ‘Bandini’ or ‘Sholay’,” Singh said in a post on X.