New Delhi/Mumbai 24 November (H.S.): Dharmendra, the iconic and beloved He-Man of Indian cinema, passed away on Monday, just weeks shy of his 90th birthday, leaving a profound void in the film industry. The veteran actor's death, which followed a recent hospitalization for health complications, prompted an outpouring of grief from across the nation as colleagues and fans mourned the end of a golden era.

The actor's final rites were performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai, where his family, including wife Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol, gathered to bid him farewell . The solemn occasion drew a galaxy of stars, with industry stalwarts such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan arriving to pay their last respects. Actors Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt were also in attendance to honor the late icon.

Tributes flooded social media as news of his passing was confirmed. Filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed Dharmendra in his recent film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, penned an emotional tribute, calling it the end of an ERA and remembering him as the best human being. Jr NTR expressed deep sadness, stating, An era he defined can never be replaced, while director Madhur Bhandarkar remembered him as always vibrant & full of humor.

Dharmendra's illustrious career spanned several decades, featuring unforgettable performances in classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, and Dharam Veer. He remained active in his later years, earning acclaim for his recent roles and demonstrating his enduring charisma. In a poignant turn of events, the poster for his final film, Ikkis, a war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan, was released on the same day as his death.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar