India's legendary actor Dharmendra (real name: Dharam Singh Deol) passed away yesterday at the age of 89. The Indian film industry has accepted this loss as "the end of an era."
Dharmendra was hospitalized on November 11 due to shortness of breath and was discharged a few days later. The actor passed away yesterday morning at his home in Mumbai.
Modern.az reports, citing foreign media, that the actor's p was taken to a crematorium for cremation. His wife, famous actress Hema Malini, Indian film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and others attended the farewell ceremony.
It should be noted that in India, when people who worship Hinduism pass away, their bodies are cremated on a pyre. Hindus believe that the soul of a p burning on a pyre is purified.
For many years, rumors have circulated that Dharmendra converted to Islam. Allegedly, in 1979, Dharmendra converted to Islam to legalize his marriage with Hema Malini. However, Dharmendra himself denied these claims several times.
The cremation of Dharmendra's p has caused many to now view the claims of his conversion to Islam with skepticism.
Dharmendra married twice. He first married a woman named Prakash Kaur (in 1954) at the age of 19, on the advice of his parents. From this marriage, they had 4 children: two sons and two daughters.
Dharmendra later fell in love with actress Hema Malini, his co-star in Bollywood films. In 1969, they signed a contract to star in several films, including famous ones like "Sevimli Raj" (Raj) and "Zita and Gita" (Raka). A romantic relationship developed between the co-stars in these films. Thus, one of Bollywood's most romantic love stories unfolded.
The Dharmendra-Hema Malini couple was considered the most successful acting duo in Indian cinema for many years. Their collaboration achieved iconic status both in India and abroad.
In 1978, the couple decided to formalize their relationship. According to claims, when his first wife refused to grant him a divorce, Dharmendra converted to Islam and, according to the laws of this religion, took a second wife without divorcing the first.
The Dharmendra-Hema Malini couple had two daughters.
Dharmendra's sons from his first marriage, Sunny and Bobby, built successful acting careers.
The actor's eldest daughter from his second marriage, Esha, also follows in her parents' footsteps – starring in films as an actress.
Dharmendra's films such as "Stone and Flower" (Shaka), "Zita and Gita" (Raka), "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" (Ali Baba), "Beloved Raj" (Raj), "Revenge and Law" (Viru), and others were beloved screen works for the generation born up to the 1980s. These films depicted purity, the struggle against oppression, and other educational values.
Dharmendra was a central figure of classic Bollywood. Over more than six decades, he starred in over 300 films, many of which became cult classics. In 2012, Dharmendra was awarded India's highest honor, the "Padma Bhushan" award.
Between 2015 and 2020, Dharmendra faced a series of health problems, including back pain, muscle strain, and weakness, which sometimes required hospitalization. In 2025, the actor underwent a corneal transplant operation due to a corneal injury in his left eye.
In October-November 2025, Dharmendra was hospitalized complaining of breathing problems. After his condition stabilized and all vital signs normalized, he was discharged from the hospital.
Dharmendra would have celebrated his 90th birthday two weeks later – on December 8, 2025…
A. Gafarli
