On Monday, 24 November 2025, at 6:44 PM UTC, Dharmendra, the towering icon of Hindi cinema known as the original 'He-Man,' passed away at his Mumbai home at age 89 after a prolonged battle with age-related illness. His death came just 13 days after false rumors of his passing had sent shockwaves through India’s media landscape, prompting public mourning from figures like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and poet Javed Akhtar—only to be swiftly corrected by his wife, Hema Malini, and daughter Esha Deol, who called the reports 'completely unacceptable and irresponsible.' The real tragedy wasn’t just his passing—it was how quickly the public lost sight of the man behind the legend.
A Legacy Built on Muscle and Heart
Dharmendra didn’t just act in films—he became a cultural archetype. Between 1963 and 2025, he starred in 202 verified productions, from the raw grit of Phool Aur Patthar (1966) to the mythic scale of Sholay (1975), which ran for 250 consecutive weeks at Mumbai’s Minerva Theatre. His roles weren’t just performances; they were blueprints for Indian masculinity. In Raja Jani (1972), Jugnu (1973), and Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1979), he embodied the silent, stoic hero who could punch through walls and still hold a child’s hand with tenderness. He was the man who made action look effortless, who could carry a film with a glance. And he did it without CGI, stunt doubles, or social media hype.His 1980s output was staggering: five hits in 1982 alone—Rajput, Badle Ki Aag, Ghazab, Baghavat, and Samraat—netting ₹22.7 crore collectively. Even his flops, like The Burning Train (1980), later became cult classics. According to Box Office India, 78 of his films were certified hits, including 22 superhits and 17 all-time blockbusters. His lead roles alone generated an estimated ₹1,850 crore ($222 million USD) in revenue—a staggering figure for an era when ticket prices were under ₹5.
The False Death and the Family’s Fight for Dignity
The week leading up to his death was surreal. On 11 November 2025, false death reports exploded across WhatsApp, Twitter, and even TV news channels. Within hours, politicians and celebrities had posted tributes. But Dharmendra was alive. At 7:30 AM IST on 17 November, Dr. Pratit Samdani, his attending physician at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, issued a statement confirming his discharge: 'His family is taking care of him at their residence. Pray that his treatment and recovery continue smoothly.'That same day, his son Sunny Deol, then serving as Minister of State for Defence, stood outside their home, visibly shaken, confronting paparazzi: 'Aap logon ko sharam aani chahiye... Aapke ghar mein maa-baap hain, bachche hain...' (You should be ashamed... You have parents and children at home). It was a moment that cut through the noise. This wasn’t just a celebrity dying—it was a father, a husband, a grandfather, being hunted by the machine of misinformation.
Final Days and Final Film
In his final week, Dharmendra received quiet visits from Bollywood royalty: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan came one by one, not for photos, but for presence. On the evening of 24 November, surrounded by his two wives—Prakash Kaur, his first wife of over 60 years, and Hema Malini, the 'Dream Girl' who became his partner in life and legend—he slipped away peacefully.His funeral rites began immediately at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai, with his children—Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol—and grandchildren in attendance. The family confirmed the rites would conclude within 24 hours, in strict adherence to Hindu tradition.
His final film, Ikkis (‘Twenty-One’), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson), is set for release on 15 August 2026. It’s not just a movie—it’s a monument. In it, Dharmendra plays a retired soldier, a role that mirrors his own life: weathered, wise, unyielding.
Why He Mattered
Dharmendra didn’t just entertain—he shaped how India saw itself. In a country where heroes were often gods or kings, he was the man next door who could fight a gang of thugs and still go home to make rotis. He was the bridge between the mythic and the mundane. When Amitabh Bachchan called him a 'national treasure,' it wasn’t flattery. It was truth. When Rajinikanth bowed his head in tribute, it was a gesture from one legend to another.His ranking at #37 in Outlook India’s '75 Best Bollywood Actors' list in 2022 felt almost too modest. He wasn’t just one of the best—he was the original. The one who made the path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Dharmendra the original 'He-Man' of Bollywood?
Dharmendra earned the nickname 'He-Man' through his physical presence, silent intensity, and roles that combined brute strength with moral integrity. Unlike the flamboyant villains or brooding antiheroes of his era, he played heroes who didn’t need to shout to be heard—whether in Sholay, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, or Dost. His action sequences were raw, grounded, and believable, making him the blueprint for the Indian action hero before the era of stunts and CGI.
How did false death rumors impact his final days?
The false death rumors on 11 November 2025 caused immense distress to Dharmendra’s family, who had to publicly correct the misinformation. His daughter Esha Deol and wife Hema Malini condemned the media frenzy as 'irresponsible,' while Sunny Deol confronted paparazzi outside their home. The incident exposed how quickly misinformation spreads in India’s 24/7 news cycle—and how vulnerable even the most iconic figures are to digital cruelty.
What was Dharmendra’s financial impact on Bollywood?
Dharmendra’s lead roles generated an estimated ₹1,850 crore ($222 million USD) in revenue, with 78 certified hits—including 22 superhits and 17 all-time blockbusters. In the 1970s and 80s, when the average ticket cost ₹2–₹5, his films routinely grossed over ₹10 crore, making him one of the most bankable stars of his generation. His box office dominance helped sustain the Hindi film industry during its most volatile decades.
Who are Dharmendra’s surviving family members?
He is survived by his two wives—Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini—six children (Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijay Deol, Esha Deol, Ahana Deol, and one unnamed child), and thirteen grandchildren. Sunny Deol, his eldest son, is a sitting Member of Parliament, while Bobby Deol and Esha Deol continue acting. The family has requested privacy during their mourning period, consistent with Hindu customs.
Will Dharmendra’s final film, Ikkis, be released as planned?
Yes. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Agastya Nanda, Ikkis is scheduled for release on 15 August 2026. The film, in which Dharmendra plays a retired soldier, was completed before his passing. Industry insiders confirm the production team intends to honor his legacy by releasing it as a tribute, with no posthumous CGI alterations to his scenes.
How did Dharmendra’s career evolve from action to character roles?
By the 1990s, Dharmendra transitioned from leading man to powerful supporting roles—father figures, patriarchs, and moral anchors. He appeared in classics like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Yeh Dillagi (1999), proving his emotional range. His 2007 film Apne co-starred his sons, symbolizing a passing of the torch. Even in his 80s, he remained active, accepting roles that carried weight, not just spectacle.
