Bollywood actor and former politician Dharmendra, whose career spanned more than six decades and more than 300 films, has been described as a \u201clegend of Indian cinema\u201d after his death at the age of 89. <\/p>\n
While his family has yet to confirm news of his passing, film director and producer Karan Johar, who is close to them, posted an obituary on Monday calling it \u201cthe end of an era\u201d. Dharmendra was admitted to a Mumbai hospital earlier this month.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday there is a gaping hole in our industry, a space that can never be filled by anyone,\u201d Johar posted on Instagram. \u201cThe embodiment of a hero in mainstream cinema, incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence, he is and will always be a bona fide Legend of Indian Cinema. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe love you kind sir. We will miss you so much. The heavens are blessed today. It will always be my blessing to have worked with you.\u201d <\/p>\n
Indian media also shared photos of Malini and daughter Esha Deol as well as a number of Bollywood actors arriving at a Mumbai crematorium, dressed in white, the colour traditionally worn for mourning in Hindu funerals.<\/p>\n
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, his son and actor Abhishek Bachchan, actor Salman Khan and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur were among stars photographed at the Vile Parle Crematorium on Monday afternoon. <\/p>\n
One of Indian cinema\u2019s original superstars, Dharmendra was celebrated for his matinee-idol looks, humility and versatility. He became one of the most commercially successful actors of his time, starring in enduring blockbusters such as Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Chupke Chupke (1975) and Sholay<\/a> (1975).<\/p>\n Tributes have been rolling in from across the industry. Actress Kajol, who posted a photo of the actor with her son Yug, 15, posted on Instagram: \u201cThe OG of the Good Man is gone and the world is poorer for it. Somehow it seems like we are only losing the good people in it. Kind to the core and loved always. RIP Dharamji \u2026 with love always.\u201d<\/p>\n Kajol’s husband, actor and producer Ajay Devgn, called Dharmendra \u201ca legend\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cHis warmth, generosity and presence inspired generations of artists,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWe’ve lost someone who shaped the very soul of our cinema.\u201d<\/p>\n Actor and director Farhan Akhtar called him \u201cirreplaceable\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cThank you for six decades of entertainment,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are fortunate to have experienced your warmth, your kindness, your generosity, your charm, your intensity and your wit, on and off the screen.\u201d<\/p>\n Actress Raveena Tandon posted with a broken heart emoji: \u201cHandsomest man on the silver screen with a golden heart.\u201d <\/p>\n Born in Punjab on December 8, 1935, Dharmendra moved to Mumbai in the 1950s to pursue acting. He made his screen debut with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960), but it was Shola Aur Shabnam (1961) that brought him his first commercial success. A string of hits followed \u2013 from Anpadh (1962) and Bandini (1963) to Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), in which he played a rare antagonist. The 1966 drama Phool Aur Patthar, a major box-office hit, firmly established his star status.<\/p>\n The 1970s cemented Dharmendra\u2019s legend, marking both his peak as a leading man and the beginning of his celebrated on-screen partnership with Hema Malini \u2013 a pairing that would eventually lead to marriage. <\/p>\n Their relationship drew controversy at the time, as Dharmendra was already married with four children, but their chemistry proved irresistible to audiences. The couple appeared together in 31 films, including Jeevan Mrityu and Sharafat (both 1970) and Dost (1974). Their most well-known collaboration, Sholay (1975), remains one of India\u2019s most beloved films, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar.<\/p>\n Dharmendra continued acting throughout his life, often sharing the screen with his sons, actors Sunny<\/a> and Bobby Deol<\/a>, from his first marriage. Their 2011 comedy Yamla Pagla Deewana<\/a> spawned two sequels. He also appeared in Tell Me O Khuda (2011), directed by Hema Malini and featuring their daughter Esha Deol<\/a>. The couple\u2019s younger daughter, Ahana Deol, also briefly pursued acting.<\/p>\n