Over a career spanning six decades, Dharmendra acted in more than 300 films, becoming one of the most iconic and recognizable faces in Bollywood.
The popular Indian Bollywood star Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai on Monday after spending several weeks in and out of hospital.
Dharmendra, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday on December 8, was one of India’s most recognizable film stars and a defining Bollywood screen presence in the 1970s and 1980s.
Dharmendra: The Bollywood ‘He-Man’
Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol in the northern state of Punjab in 1935, he grew up in a farming family and moved to Mumbai in the late 1950s, making his Bollywood debut in 1960.
Over a career spanning six decades, he acted in more than 300 films, including the spaghetti western-style “Sholay” (1975), the romantic comedy “Chupke Chupke” (1975) and the action drama “Mera Gaon Mera Desh” (1971).
He was affectionately known as the “He-Man” of Bollywood due to his many leading roles in action movies.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini
Dharmendra developed a particular on-screen chemistry with actress Hema Malini, with the pair acting together in more than two dozen films and eventually getting married in 1980.
However, the marriage was rooted in scandal since Dharmendra reportedly remained married to his first wife Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children. Dharmendra reportedly briefly converted to Islam in order to marry Malini without divorcing Kaur, since Indian law prevents Hindus from marrying twice, especially if their original spouse is still alive.
In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his contribution to Indian cinema.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/india-bollywood-star-dharmendra-dies-aged-89/a-74868124
