Veteran actor Dharmendra was cremated with full honours at Mumbai’s Pawan Hans crematorium on Monday afternoon, hours after he passed away peacefully at his residence following a brief illness. The legendary star, who had turned 89 earlier this year, was mere days away from celebrating his 90th birthday on December 8, 2025. He had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital on November 12 after receiving treatment for severe breathlessness that began on October 31, but his health deteriorated rapidly in the final days.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed profound grief in an official statement, hailing Dharmendra as “a towering figure of Indian cinema” whose extraordinary body of work enriched the nation’s cultural landscape. She highlighted his unparalleled popularity and the timeless quality of his performances, noting that his legacy would continue to inspire generations of artists and filmmakers long into the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the actor’s demise as marking “the end of an era in Indian cinema.” In a heartfelt tribute posted on social media, he praised Dharmendra’s rare ability to infuse every character with charm, depth, and authenticity, whether in high-octane action sequences, tender romantic roles, or light-hearted comedies. The Prime Minister also lauded his simplicity, humility, and warmth, qualities that made him beloved not only on screen but in real life, and extended deepest condolences to the bereaved family and countless admirers.

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Dharmendra’s final on-screen appearance will now be immortalised in Sriram Raghavan’s much-anticipated war drama Ikkis, set for theatrical release on December 25, 2025. The film, featuring Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda in the lead role, carries special significance as it reunites the Deol and Bachchan families on screen decades after their legendary collaborations in films like Sholay and Chupke Chupke.

With over three hundred films spanning six decades, from Phool Aur Patthar to Sholay and beyond, Dharmendra leaves behind an irreplaceable cinematic legacy that redefined stardom in Indian cinema. As the nation mourns the departure of one of its most enduring icons, his performances continue to live on, ensuring that the “He-Man” of Bollywood will never truly fade from the collective memory of millions.

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