Bollywood Icon Dharmendra Dies at 89 After Long Illness

Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, widely known as the industry’s “He-Man,” has died at the age of 89. Family members said he passed away at his residence in Mumbai after a period of declining health. He had been hospitalized earlier this month for breathing complications and was briefly placed on a ventilator before being discharged.

Dharmendra’s funeral was held at Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, where relatives and members of India’s film community gathered to pay their respects. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, also issued public messages honouring his legacy.

With a career spanning more than six decades and more than 300 films, Dharmendra became one of the most influential figures of Hindi cinema. His work helped shape several generations of South Asian filmgoers, including communities across Canada, where his movies remain part of cultural programming, especially in Punjabi-speaking regions of British Columbia and Alberta.

Local film enthusiasts and South Asian cultural groups in Metro Vancouver say Dharmendra’s passing marks the end of an era, noting that his early roles also inspired artists who later immigrated to Canada. Dharmendra’s body of work continues to be screened at community film festivals and heritage events across the region.