Bollywood’s legendary actor Dharmendra, fondly known as the ‘He-Man’ of Indian cinema, passed away today on November 24, 2025. Filmmaker Karan Johar confirmed this news via his social media. The 89-year-old actor, celebrated for his charisma, charm, and decades of iconic performances, had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on 12 November and was said to be stable and recovering at home. Dharmendra would have turned 90 on 8 December.
At that time, Dr Rajiv Sharma from the hospital had told IANS that the legendary star went home “fully satisfied” after getting the needed treatment. Sharing an update on Dharmendra’s condition, he said, “Dharmendra ji has gone from the hospital with full satisfaction. His family has taken him home. Everything has been arranged for him.” “He is in a stable condition. I request the public not to spread the false news but instead pray for his recovery so that he can celebrate his next birthday with pride.”
Dharmendra was critical and under strict observation
The actor had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital earlier, and according to an IANS report on 10 November that Dharmendra was critical and was kept on life support. On 31 October, sources close to IANS also shared that he was under strict medical observation by top doctors at the same hospital.
Dharmendra’s upcoming film projects
On the work front, Dharmendra was last seen in the 2024 film ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. He was also set to appear next in the film ‘Ikkis’, directed by Sriram Raghavan. The movie features Agastya Nanda and Simar Bhatia and is a war drama based on the life of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Sikandar Kher and is planned for release in December.
A legendary career spanning six decades
Dharmendra is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful stars in Indian cinema. His career lasted more than six decades, and he worked in over 300 films. He also holds the record for appearing in the highest number of hit films in Hindi cinema. In 2012, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
Early success and rise to superstardom
Dharmendra made his debut in 1960 with ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’. He rose to fame in the mid-1960s with films like ‘Ayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ and ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’.
From the late 1960s to the 1980s, he acted in many hit films such as ‘Ankhen’, ‘Shikar’, ‘Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, ‘Jeevan Mrityu’, ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Raja Jani’, ‘Jugnu’, ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’, ‘Dost’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Pratiggya’, ‘Charas’, ‘Dharam Veer’, ‘Chacha Bhatija’, ‘Ghulami’, ‘Hukumat’, ‘Aag Hi Aag’, ‘Elaan-E-Jung’, ‘Tahalka’, ‘Anpadh’, ‘Bandini’, ‘Haqeeqat’, ‘Anupama’, ‘Mamta’, ‘Majhli Didi’, ‘Satyakam’, ‘Naya Zamana’, ‘Samadhi’, ‘Resham Ki Dori’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Dillagi’, ‘The Burning Train’, ‘Ghazab’, ‘Do Dishayen’ and ‘Hathyar’.
Memorable roles in later years
In the late 1990s and later, he appeared in many popular films in character roles, including ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’, ‘Life in a… Metro’, ‘Apne’, ‘Johnny Gaddaar’, ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ and ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’.
