Bollywood’s ‘He-Man,’ beloved actor Dharmendra, has passed away at the age of 89. The actor who lived in millions of hearts, left them shattered as he breathed his last on Monday, November 24, 2025. Remembering the legendary actor, Punjabi writer-director Jagdeep Sidhu says, “In one way or the other, every artist from Punjab wanted to go to Bombay, inspired by him.”
Jagdeep Sidhu shares how Dharmendra inspired every budding artist of Punjab to dream big
“He was an inspiration for all, as he went to Bombay, made his dream come true. On every set, we used to hear this one dialogue, ‘Bombay jake ki Dharmendra banega?’ (Will you become Dharmendra by going to Bombay?),” said the National Award Winning filmmaker while speaking to us. Highlighting his legacy, he quoted, “In 1960, Dharmendraji did his first movie in a city like Bombay. He spent 65 years in the industry. And it must have been 65 to 70 years that he spent in Bombay. It is not easy to leave your life behind and make a new one, right from scratch, in a big city. And he did make a huge name for himself.” “He lived like a king, like a lion. He never feared anything or anyone. He lived such a life that everyone loves him. It is impossible that someone doesn’t like or love Dharmendra. Zero haterate. It is worth learning from him that live such a life that when you depart, you leave everyone in tears,” mentioned the ‘Harjeeta’ writer.See More: Dharmendra passes away at 89 in at his residence in Mumbai, Karan Johar posts: ‘An end of an era’
Jagdeep Sidhu remembers Dharmendra as Punjab’s gabru
“From the day he fell sick, there was this fear in my heart. This sickening feeling that he is not doing well,” he said before adding, “My heart is not ready to believe even now that he is no more. I find myself very fortunate that I got the opportunity to meet him a couple of times and hear his tales. His stories were beyond stardom. I saw Punjab’s gabru in him, Punjab’s tales, the native language.”“May God rest his soul in peace,” concluded the director.
Dharmendra passes away at the age of 89
The legendary actor was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital earlier this month and was discharged as he was recovering. The family confirmed that he was responding to the treatment. However, on November 24, an ambulance was seen leaving his house, and his family, along with several Bollywood stars, reached the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu to pay their final respect.See More: Dharmendra Passes Away: Bollywood’s ‘He-Man’ leaves a huge void in the industry; Hema Malini, Esha Deol and others reach crematorium
