25112025-LSTC-01.qxd 11/25/2025 12:36 AM Page 1 c m y b ABHI NA JAO CHODKE… “It is an end of an era… a mega star, the embodiment of a hero in cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence … he is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… And my heart says with respect, reverence and love…. Abhi Na jao chodke, ke dil abhi bhara nahi,” wrote Karan Johar. TRIBUNE Mourning Life From Amitabh Bachchan to veteran writer Salim Khan and his son Salman Khan, many renowned dignitaries gathered together in Vile Parle to pay their last respects to Dharmendra. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2025 FAREWELL VEERU Dharmendra: Machismo with marshmallow softness, the star who will sparkle forever W HEN he was not breaking hearts with his gentle smile, he was breaking bones of baddies with his “dishoom” biceps. And then there was his comic timing that left the audience bathed in mirth. Dharmendra was the rare star packing it all in a 65-year career with no full stops. Machismo, sensitivity, charisma. And classic handsomeness. Sprinkled with stardust and wrapped in tinsel, his was a career that spanned every kind of movie – from intense Satyakam to romantic Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi, from boisterous Sholay to wholesome Chupke Chupke. Dharmendra, the man who more than anyone else perhaps embodied a certain goodness and wholesomeness, died on Monday at his Mumbai home. He would have been 90 on December 8. In 2023, when he was all of 88, he romanced Shabana Azmi to great effect in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani — still breaking hearts and evoking sighs to the strains of that evergreen love song Abhi Na Jaao Chhod Karas he serenaded his lost love. This was an actor who saw the Hindi film industry evolve through the decades, moving from black and white to colour and now the digital age, and ensured that he stayed relevant in each era. His foot firmly planted in commercial cinema, Dharmendra survived the superstardom of Rajesh Khanna and the rise of Amitabh Bachchan, making sure his space was all his own. He was Garam Dharam and the original HeMan of Hindi cinema with the marshmallow softness of the fairytale hero. Dharmendra, who acted in more than 300 films, was often called a ‘Greek God’, a tag that hid a sensitive artiste just a little eclipsed by his macho man roles. “I have always broken my image every time I went on screen. I don’t know what it means to be a Greek god but people used to call me one,” he said with characteristic modesty in an interview. When I dead, police coming ... One more time Honouring Dharmendra’s last appearance on the big screen, Maddock Films unveiled a new poster of Ikkis. “Fathers raise sons. Legends raise nations. Dharmendra ji, an emotional powerhouse as the father of a 21-year-old immortal soldier. One timeless legend brings us the story of another,” the caption of the post read. The makers also shared another poster, featuring Dharmendra was born Dharam Singh Deol in Nasrali village, Ludhiana district of Punjab on December 8, 1935, to an idealistic school teacher. The family moved to Sahenwal village after his father’s transfer when Dharmendra was just two. In 1958, Filmfare announced a nationwide talent hunt. The young Dharam decided to try his luck, won the contest and packed his bags for Mumbai. The first film he signed was Bimal Roy’s Bandini opposite Ashok Kumar and Nutan. While waiting for the movie to begin, he found it hard to make ends meet and worked in a drilling firm for Rs 200 a month to survive. The first break came in 1960 with Arjun Hingorani’s Dil Bhi Tera, Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. The debut was not a success. But he did get noticed. After a series of films, including Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Haqeeqat and Kaajal, came stardom with the 1966 film Phool Aur Patthar opposite Meena Kumari. That same year saw him in Anupama, his first film with Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The director, who imagined Dharmendra differently from the rough screen persona of several of his other movies, went on to cast him in Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Guddi, Chaitali and, of course, Chupke Chupkewhere his his role as botany professor Parimal Tripathi won immense love. Dharmendra the superstar bloomed to his full potential in the 70s and 80s when another big name was on the horizon: Amitabh Bachchan. He teamed up with Bachchan in Chupke Chupke. And also memorably in Sholay where their roles as Jai and Veeru came to define male bonding. In later decades, Dharmendra slipped into character roles. There was no escaping the unrelenting spotlight on his personal life. He was married to Prakash Kaur. They have four children – sons, actors Bobby and Sunny Deol, and two daughters Vijeta and Ajeeta. In 1980, the actor tied the knot with Hema Malini after allegedly converting to Islam, a claim Dharmendra denied. The couple share daughters Esha and Ahana. Also a Padma Bhushan recipient, Dharmendra dabbled in politics briefly, winning the Lok Sabha seat from Bikaner on a BJP ticket in 2004. — PTI Revisiting legendary actor’s iconic dialogues the lead cast of Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Dharmendra. With a homage to the late actor’s character in the film, they added, “A father’s worst nightmare became a nation’s chance to dream again. “Woh joh na sirf Hindustani, balki Pakistani fauj ke liye bhi misaal ban gaya.” Ikkis will hit theatres in December. Dharmendra delivered some of Hindi cinema’s most unforgettable dialogues that still resonate with his fans and keep his legacy alive. Basanti, in kutton ke samne mat naachna This dialogue from Dharmendra for Hema Malini in Sholay is one of the most popular dialogues in Indian cinema. “Kabhi zameen se baat ki hai Thakur, ye zameen humari maa hai” wood. It was delivered in the film Yaandon Ki Baraat. This hard-hitting dialogue is from movie Ghulami directed by JP Dutta in 1985. “Kutte Kamino, mai tera khoon pee jaunga” “When I dead, police coming ... police coming, budiya going jail ... in jail budiya chakki peesing, and peesing, and peesing, and peesing” This dialogue perfectly captures the action hero image of Dharmendra in Bolly- This iconic dialogue of Dharmendra in Sholay is packed with laughter. Dharmendra’s most iconic films and humour as the streetsmart Raka. Today, as we remember him, we revisit 10 of his most iconic films that defined his legacy and shaped generations of film lovers. Dharam Veer (1977) As the valiant prince Dharam, he embraced fantasy and adventure with effortless flair. Sholay (1975) As Veeru, Dharmendra embodied mischief, courage and charisma in equal measure. Pratiggya (1975) Dharmendra mastered the action-hero mould with this revenge drama. Chupke Chupke (1975) In Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s timeless comedy, Dharmendra showcased his impeccable comic timing. delivered one of his most rich performances. work, Dharmendra played a man bound by principles. Phool Aur Patthar (1966) Satyakam (1969) Bandini (1963) In this film, Dharmendra Often cited as his finest Dharmendra portrayed a Anupama (1966) compassionate prison doctor. Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) Paired with Hema Malini, Dharmendra added charm c m y b As the sensitive and understanding Ashok, he brought quiet strength to a role that required tenderness more than dialogue. ‘An inspiration for generations’ A ‘bonafide legend’ of Indian cinema, “an inspiration for generations” and the “original He-Man” is how celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor Khan, remembered Dharmendra who breathed his last on Monday. Akshay shared a photo of the late cinema star, saying Dharmendra will continue to live on through his movies. “Growing up, Dharmendra ji was the hero every boy wanted to be... our industry’s original He-Man, thank you for inspiring generations. You’ll live through your movies and the love you spread. Om shanti,” he wrote on X. Ajay remembered Dharmendra for his “warmth, generosity and presence”. “The industry has lost a legend... and we’ve lost someone who has shaped the very soul of our cine- ma. Rest in peace Dharam ji, Om Shanti,” he added. Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan shared series of pictures on her Instagram handle and captioned them, “Forever in power.” Farhan sent his condolences to the Deol family and said Dharmendra will “forever remain irreplaceable”. “A big, big loss to the entire film world... Thank you for six decades of entertainment. We are fortunate to have experienced your warmth, your kindness, your generosity, your charm, your intensity and your wit, on and off the screen,” he said. Suniel Shetty posted, “Strength wrapped in grace. Stardom wrapped in warmth. Heroism wrapped in a pure heart. Thats the legacy of Dharam Paaji. To those who knew him, he was pure warmth.” — PTI