Dharmendra dies at 89: Why veteran actor was called Bollywood’s ‘He-Man’

Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89. Scroll down to read why Dharmendra was called the 'He-Man' of Bollywood.

In the most heartbreaking news, Bollywood’s veteran actor Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89. Just weeks before turning 90, the actor took his last breath. While the news was not confirmed by the family, filmmaker Karan Johar took to Instagram and made it official. He called Dharmendra’s death an “end of an era.” Earlier in the day, tight security was seen outside Dharmendra’s house as an ambulance rushed inside.  Following the news, many celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and more gave their heartfelt tribute to the actor.

Dharmendra’s Bollywood Journey

Dharmendra was often hailed as Bollywood’s ‘He-Man.’ His career has spanned over six decades, leaving an incredible mark on Indian cinema. Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab, Dharmendra made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. During the initial years of his career, Dharmendra was cast as a romantic and dramatic hero.

Dharmendra’s towering physique and charismatic screen presence soon established him as an action hero, earning him the iconic “He-Man” image.

Why was Dharmendra called the ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood?

Dharmendra was called the He-Man of Bollywood because of his strong, muscular physique and action-hero image that dominated Hindi cinema in the 1960s and 70s.

Unlike many actors, Dharmendra had a naturally tall and athletic build, which made him the perfect choice for action-hero roles.

Dharmendra’s performance in films like Phool Aur Patthar, Sholay, and Rakhwala added more depth and weight to his reputation as a fearless, larger-than-life hero who could handle intense fight sequences, high-octane drama, and heroic acts convincingly.