India has lost one of its most celebrated cinematic icons as Dharmendra, lovingly known as Bollywood’s He-Man, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. The veteran actor breathed his last at his Mumbai residence only weeks after being discharged from the hospital following respiratory complications.

According to family sources, Dharmendra’s final rites will be performed at Mumbai’s Pawan Hans crematorium. His wife Hema Malini, daughter Esha Deol, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aamir Khan were among the first to arrive at the crematorium as news of his passing spread across the industry.

Tributes began pouring in almost immediately. Filmmaker Karan Johar called Dharmendra’s death “the end of an era,” describing him as a mega-star with unmatched charisma and a legendary presence on screen. Messages from colleagues, fans and institutions across the world reflected the deep admiration he earned over a career spanning more than six decades.

Earlier in November, Dharmendra had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties. He was discharged on November 12, with doctors stating that he was stable and recovering well. The Deol family urged the public to respect their privacy and avoid speculation while he recovered at home. However, concerns were renewed on Monday morning when an ambulance arrived at his residence with tight security, confirming the worst fears of fans.

Doctors had remained hopeful after his earlier discharge, with Dr Rajiv Sharma noting that Dharmendra was “fully satisfied with his treatment.” Despite the efforts of medical staff and the support of his family, his condition deteriorated again, and he could not recover from the complications.

Born in 1935, Dharmendra Singh Deol began his film career in 1960 and went on to appear in over 300 movies, holding one of the most prolific filmographies in Indian cinema. He excelled in romance, comedy, drama and action—becoming one of the rare Bollywood actors who dominated every genre. His portrayal of Veeru in the classic Sholay remains celebrated worldwide, while films like Phool Aur Patthar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Dharam Veer, Chupke Chupke, Jugnu and Pratigya cemented his legacy as a true superstar.

In his later years, Dharmendra delivered critically acclaimed roles in Johnny Gaddaar, Apne, Life in a… Metro, Yamla Pagla Deewana and the recent Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. His final performance will be seen in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, in which he plays the grandfather of Agastya Nanda.

Honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012, Dharmendra’s contributions to Indian cinema remain unmatched. Known for his humility and warmth, he leaves behind a family deeply rooted in film—his wife Hema Malini, first wife Prakash Kaur, sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, and daughters Esha and Ahana.

With his passing, Bollywood bids farewell to a towering figure whose legacy will continue to shape Indian cinema for generations.