Amitabh Bachchan, SRK Pen Emotional Tributes For Dharmendra As Legendary Actor Passes Away At 89
Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are mourning Dharmendra’s death.
The Hindi film industry is mourning the loss of one of its greatest icons as veteran actor Dharmendra passed away on Monday at the age of 89. Tributes have been pouring in from every corner of Bollywood, with actors, filmmakers, and fans sharing memories, anecdotes, and emotional notes celebrating the legacy of the beloved star. Among the many heartfelt messages, Amitabh Bachchan’s moving tribute – penned on his blog late Monday night – stood out for its depth and nostalgia, reflecting the long bond shared by the two legends.
Amitabh Bachchan, who teamed up with Dharmendra in several classics of the 70s and 80s, wrote, “Another valiant Giant has left us, left the arena, leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound.”
Reflecting on the late actor’s persona, he described him as “the epitome of greatness,” admired not only for his physical presence but also for “the largeness of his heart” and the simplicity that defined him.
Amitabh recalled how Dharmendra carried with him “the earthiness of the village in Punjab he came from,” staying unaltered despite working through decades that saw the film industry transform dramatically. “The fraternity underwent changes, not him,” he wrote, praising the veteran’s unwavering warmth, charm, and rare humility.
Amitabh and Dharmendra first worked together in ‘Dost’ (1974), followed by back-to-back hits such as ‘Chupke Chupke’ and the cult classic ‘Sholay’ in 1975. They later shared the screen in films like ‘Naseeb’, ‘Ram Balram’, and ‘Hum Kaun Hain’. Ending his tribute on a sombre note, Amitabh wrote, “The air about us swings vacant, a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus.”
Big B also posted the note on his Instagram Stories.
Dharmendra, who had been recovering at home after a recent hospitalisation earlier this month, breathed his last at his residence in Juhu. He was cremated later in the day at the Pavan Hans Crematorium, where several top stars – including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Salim Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – arrived to pay their last respects.
Shah Rukh also shared an emotional tribute online, posting an unseen photo of Dharmendra affectionately holding his face. “Rest in Peace Dharam ji. You were nothing short of a father figure to me,” he wrote, describing the loss as “inconsolable and irreplaceable” not only for the family but also for cinema lovers everywhere. He added that Dharmendra’s soul would “live through your films and your beautiful family forever.”
Shah Rukh and Dharmendra had worked together in ‘Om Shanti Om’, where the veteran appeared in the star-studded ‘Deewangi Deewangi’ song sequence. Across the industry, tributes poured in from stars such as Karan Johar, Kiara Advani, Kriti Sanon, Alia Bhatt, Rajinikanth, Shilpa Shetty, Anupam Kher, and Priyanka Chopra, all expressing shock and grief over his demise.
Earlier this month, Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital following a health scare. Rumours of his death had circulated online, but his family promptly clarified that he was alive, recovering well, and had been brought home for better care. He ultimately passed away on November 24 at his Juhu residence. His daughter Esha Deol and wife Hema Malini were visibly heartbroken as they exited the crematorium after the final rites.
Despite his ill health, Dharmendra had continued working. He will next be seen in Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming film ‘Ikkis’, where he plays the father of Agastya Nanda’s character. Produced by Maddock Films, the movie is based on the real-life story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, who was martyred at age 21 during the 1971 Battle of Basantar.
The film, also starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher, is slated for a Christmas release.
