There’s a quiet shift in the air, the kind you notice only when you pause and look back. For those who grew up with the golden years of Hindi cinema, Dharmendra was never just another actor on the screen — he was warmth, charm, and strength woven into one unforgettable presence. There was something deeply familiar in his gentle smile and the sincerity in his voice, something that made him feel like family rather than a distant star. Veteran actor Dharmendra is currently hospitalized and remains in critical condition on ventilator support, according to the latest update. Earlier on Tuesday morning, social media was flooded with unverified reports claiming the actor had passed away. However, his family has strongly denied these rumours, calling them completely false. Reacting to the misleading reports, Dharmendra’s wife and actress Hema Malini took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to condemn the spread of misinformation. She wrote, “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and recovering? This is extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give the family the privacy and respect it deserves.”
As time moves forward, it comes with a soft ache — the sort that reminds us that the icons of our childhood are becoming cherished memories. Their work stays, but the era they built slowly starts to feel like a world we once lived in. Dharmendra’s journey is a reminder of how cinema can touch our lives, shape our emotions, and stay with us long after the reels stop rolling. And as we hold on to that nostalgia, here are five Dharmendra films every admirer should experience — each one capturing a different shade of his brilliance:
1. Sholay (1975)
Role: VeeruDharmendra played Veeru, the light-hearted yet fiercely loyal friend who brings humour, charm, and courage to a story built on danger and revenge. His effortless bonding with Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) forms the emotional backbone of the film. Sholay is more than a movie — it’s a cultural memory. Dharmendra’s timing, comic sincerity, and emotional depth in Veeru’s love scenes with Basanti created some of the most iconic moments in Indian cinema. Watching Sholay is revisiting the era when charisma didn’t need exaggeration — it simply existed.
2. Chupke Chupke (1975)
Role: Professor Parimal Tripathi / Dr. Parimal's playful alter egoHere, Dharmendra steps away from the heroic image and delivers a performance rooted in subtle, charming comedy. He plays a professor who pretends to be a driver in a hilarious identity game to tease his in-laws. This film shows Dharmendra’s pure comedic genius — no loudness, no overdone expressions, just effortless humour and grace. It’s a reminder that he wasn’t just a romantic or action star — he could own comedy with elegance. This film still makes audiences smile, even decades later.
3. Satyakam (1969)
Role: Satyapriya AcharyaDharmendra played a man trying to live by uncompromising ideals in a world full of moral grey zones. It is one of the most honest and emotionally courageous roles ever performed in Hindi cinema. Satyakam is widely regarded as Dharmendra’s finest acting performance — raw, restrained, and deeply human. The film asks tough questions about truth, sacrifice, and integrity. Watching it today feels like stepping into the soul of a man who refuses to betray what he believes in, even when life tests him brutally.
4. Anupama (1966)
Role: AshokDharmendra plays a sensitive, understanding poet who sees beyond silence and helps a shy, withdrawn young woman find her voice and confidence. This is Dharmendra at his most tender and emotionally intuitive. The beauty of this film is in its quietness. Dharmendra shows that strength can be gentle, love can be unspoken, and presence can heal. It is perfect for anyone who appreciates emotional storytelling without loud drama.
5. Phool Aur Patthar (1966)
Role: ShakaDharmendra plays a tough, fearless small-town rogue who unexpectedly discovers kindness, responsibility, and the ability to love when he protects a widow facing social cruelty. This film defined Dharmendra as the original “He-Man” of Bollywood — strong, masculine, but with a heart capable of deep transformation. The emotional chemistry, character growth, and raw screen presence make it unforgettable. This is the role that turned Dharmendra from an actor into a superstar.