- People closely following the evolution of Indian cinema, especially the Hindi movies, would always fondly remember some of the marquee performers coming from the stable to entertain the whole generation in no small measure. One such name is the extremely handsome, boyishly charming, and a powerhouse performer hidden deep inside who mesmerized the movie lovers with his effortless and natural acting prowess for almost six decades, who else but the original He-Man and macho hero, Dharmendra. That Dharmendra had a great and seamless flair for performing comedic roles must have come as a surprise to legions of movie buffs. But not to those who knew what a gifted performer Dharmendra was right from the day he set foot on the firmament.
PC: AajTak
- Apart from the most palpable onscreen persona, Dharmendra had this unique gift of being humble, approachable, and his grounded disposition must have endeared the gentleman superstar to millions of his fans. Of course, he was also monikered as Garam Dharam for portraying a slew of angry characters flaying the adversaries onscreen with such machismo and a believable array of raw power. True cinema lovers of yore would fondly recall how Dharmendra was an equally consummate performer, essaying funny characters with ease. Just reminisce about his characters in films like Chupke Chupke and Sholay, among many others. His screen presence was not only towering but also never failed to evoke awe. That was the power of his presence.
PC: The Indian Express
- He was a fascinating character on and off the screen. His marriage to Dreamgirl Hema Malini was solemnized under a cloud of controversy in the 1980s but endured despite encountering innumerable challenges along the way. Here, a word about Hema Malini’s dignified handling of the whole situation deserves a special mention despite being under the scanner all the time. As the whole country and beyond knew, Dharmendra was hospitalized in the first week of November after developing breathing complications. He was on a ventilator for a few days and was shifted home for recuperation. Due to advanced age, Dharmendra could not recover and passed away, leaving behind such a vast and rich legacy worthy of emulation, admiration, and accolades.
PC: Punjab Kesari
- Even though he had slowed down on acting assignments, save for a few here and there, his sporadic presence on television during reality/music/dance shows was wholesomely welcomed by the audience and the performers alike. Not for nothing, he was admired by fellow actors, showering so much love and affection whenever and wherever he made an appearance. I am sure scores of admirers will vouch, his boyishly attractive, rugged charm, combined with raw energy, made many of us go gaga over the man carrying himself with such simplicity. A definite end of an era that defined every onscreen character of the time with such natural grace and finesse. May Dharmendra’s soul find a better purpose again!
