The He-Man of Hindi films, known popularly as Garam-Dharam, the heartbeat of Hindi cinema’s golden era, Dharmendra, passed away in Mumbai today at 89. Dharmendra was, paradoxically, a combination of masculinity and vulnerability. His swagger, his rugged charm, emotional sincerity and his trademark humour were organic, not manufactured.
His acting career spanned over six decades and 300 films. He played some of the most loved characters in Hindi films. The idealistic engineer in Satyakam, the wronged truck driver in Pratigya, the loyal friend in Sholay, the prankster professor in Chupke Chupke, and the swashbuckling action hero in Dharamveer were some unforgettable roles that showcased Dharmendra’s versatility and adaptability.
For a short while after Rajesh Khanna and before Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra ruled Hindi filmdom. There was a time when he and his son Sunny Deol were romancing the same set of heroines on screen. In the passing of Dharmendra, an era of Hindi cinema has come to an end. Love you, Dharam paaji, you’ll live on through your films.....
