The passing of Dharmendra, the legendary 'He-Man' of Bollywood, marked the end of an era in Indian cinema. His death at 89 on November 24, 2023, in Mumbai, was met with widespread mourning. The actor's final rites were conducted swiftly, with the family keeping a low profile due to a previous false alarm. Despite the secrecy, the outpouring of grief was palpable. Esha Deol, Dharmendra's daughter, was seen breaking down in tears and folding her hands as people offered condolences. Hema Malini, seated beside her, also folded her hands in a gesture of respect. The crematorium at Pawan Hans in Juhu was abuzz with industry celebrities paying their respects. Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Agastya Nanda were among the first to arrive. Other notable figures who attended included Salman Khan, Salim Khan, Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone. The atmosphere was somber as these stars bid farewell to a giant of Indian cinema. Dharmendra's 'Sholay' co-star, Amitabh Bachchan, expressed his sorrow in a blog post, praising Dharmendra's greatness and simplicity. He wrote, 'Another valiant Giant has left us... leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound... Dharam ji... 🙏 🙏🙏.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute, stating, '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 President of India, Droupadi Murmu, echoed these sentiments, calling Dharmendra's passing a 'great loss to Indian cinema.' His legacy as a popular actor and former Member of Parliament will continue to inspire young generations of artists.
