Legendary Actor Dharmendra Passes Away At 89, Karan Johar Confirms
Dharmendra, the legendary “He-Man” of Indian cinema, passes away at 89, leaving behind an extraordinary cinematic legacy.
Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most adored and enduring icons, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. The heart-breaking news was confirmed by filmmaker-producer Karan Johar, who shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, leaving fans and the film fraternity in deep grief. Sharing a throwback image of Dharmendra, Karan Johar wrote, “It is an end of an ERA….. a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence … he is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema.”
Check out Karan Johar’s Instagram post below:
The legendary actor had been unwell for a while. Earlier this month, on November 10, he was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after his health deteriorated. Over the next few days, several leading film personalities, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Govinda, visited the hospital to express solidarity with the Deol family during the difficult time.
Two days after his admission, Dharmendra was discharged as the family decided to continue his treatment at home. “Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital at 7.30 am today (November 12). His family is taking care of him at their residence. Pray that his treatment, management and recovery continue,” Dr Pratik Samdani told media portals at the time.
However, today (November 24), the beloved megastar breathed his last, marking the end of an era in Indian cinema.
Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur, and his second wife, actress Hema Malini. His family includes six children – sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, daughters Vijeta and Ajeita from his first marriage, and daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his marriage to Hema Malini.
Fondly known as the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema, Dharmendra delivered countless unforgettable performances across decades. His filmography stands as one of the richest in Hindi cinema, with iconic titles like ‘Sholay’, ‘Dharamveer’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Loafer’, ‘Jugnu’ and ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ defining generations of movie lovers.
Dharmendra was last seen on screen in 2024 in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, where he played Shahid Kapoor’s grandfather. Before that, he delivered a widely praised performance in Karan Johar’s 2023 film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.
His portrayal in the film rekindled the old-world romantic charm he was celebrated for – something audiences had witnessed in classics like ‘Ayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Anupama’, ‘Aas Paas’, ‘Pyar Hi Pyar’, ‘Blackmail’, ‘Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka’, ‘Mere Humdum Mere Dost’, ‘Jeevan Mrityu’ and ‘Aap Ki Parchhaiyan’.
Decades after ruling the silver screen as Bollywood’s ultimate romantic hero, he continued to win over newer audiences through films like ‘Life in a… Metro’ and most recently ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.
His upcoming film ‘Ikkis’, directed by Sriram Raghavan, is scheduled for release in December, ensuring the legendary star will continue to grace screens even after his passing.
At 89, Dharmendra remained remarkably active – working consistently, maintaining discipline, and inspiring fans with glimpses of his workout routines through Instagram. His fitness posts often revealed his unwavering dedication to staying healthy and positive.
Dharmendra’s fan base spanned generations, and his charm transcended time. With his passing, India has lost not just an actor, but a cultural institution whose legacy will live on through his films, his warmth, and the countless memories he created for admirers across the world.
