Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, the iconic Bollywood actor fondly known as Dharmendra, has passed away at the age of 89.
Paying tribute on social media, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the actor as an “iconic film personality” and “a phenomenal actor”, adding that his death marks the “end of an era in Indian cinema.” Modi wrote:
“The passing of Dharmendra Ji marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He was an iconic film personality, a phenomenal actor who brought charm and depth to every role he played. The manner in which he played diverse roles struck a chord with countless people. Dharmendra Ji was equally admired for his simplicity, humility and warmth. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family, friends and innumerable fans. Om Shanti.”
The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
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Born on December 8, 1935, in Nasrali village, Punjab, Dharmendra first gained attention with Bimal Roy’s 1963 film Bandini, where he played a prison doctor who falls for an inmate. He quickly became a popular romantic lead, and though his first action role came with Phool Aur Patthar (1966), it was the 1971 blockbuster Mera Gaon Mera Desh that cemented his status as an action star.
Prompt News reports over his long and celebrated career, Dharmendra was honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2012, for his contributions to Hindi cinema.
