Indo Caribbean Tribute to Veteran Iconic Bollywood Actor Dharmendra

Legendary Indian actor Dharmendra passed away at 89 at his home in Juhu, Mumbai on the morning of November 24. He is loved and adored by Indian Guyanese and the diaspora. He is arguably the most favorite actor of Indo Caribbean and the Indian diaspora at large. There is hardly an Indian Guyanese who does not know Dharmendra and Hema Malini, his second wife. Growing up in Guyana from the 1960s, Indians watched Dharnendra’s many films. They were always sold out. His more than six-decades acting career in over 300 films made him one of the filmi industry and Bollywood’s most respected star.Like India, the diaspora also grieved in his passing.

Dharmendra was born in and grew up in pre-Partition Punjab. The 1947 Partition of British India and of Punjab separated him from friends and family members. He later moved to Bombay which later becomes Mumbai, the original Maratha name that was changed by the colonial ruler to Bombay.

Dharmendra was married twice. He is the only Indian Hindu to have two wives. He is survived by first wife, Prakash Kaur, second wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and two daughters from first marriage as well as daughters Esha Deol, and Ahana Deol from Hema. His two sons are well known actors as are his two daughters from Hema. Tributes are pouring in from across India, including The PM and President and from fans around the diaspora including Guyanese.

The iconic actor was lovingly called the ‘He-Man of Indian cinema’. He passed away at two weeks shy of 90. The news of death has left fans across the country and the diaspora heartbroken. He was one of the most loved and respected stars in Indian film history with countless hit films. Guyanese and overseas Indians flocked to his films. As a reporter stated, “People admired him not just for his powerful roles and action scenes but also for his charm, warmth, and down-to-earth personality”. He was truly an amazing, charismatic actor. As many stated, his passing marks the end of an era in Bollywood.

The veteran actor’s family did not make his death public as they did not want to create traffic jams and hoopla and security issues in Mumbai. Millions would have flocked to his home and the crematorium. Thousands had showed up at a hospital and his home when he took ill a couple weeks ago. He died at home. An ambulance arrived at his home amidst speculation that he was not well. Many thought he would be transported to the hospital. An ambulance transported his lifeless body to the crematorium for a simple cremation rite not far from his home. It was done within a few hours of his death. He desired a quiet funeral.

Guyaneseand other Indo Caribbeans I engaged said they are heartbroken on hearing of his death. He was a very handsome star in his early career before age caught up; Guyaneseabd other Indians said they dressed like him, combed their hair like his and wanted to be him. Many watched his films repeatedly. He is in their hearts. They expressed condolences. They cannot forget his films which were a staple to Indians in Guyana and around the world. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences. They thank him for a lifetime of films that entertained them.

Guyanese and other Indians from the diaspora grew up on a staple of Dharmendra films from 1960s (black and white ) thru the 1970s (colored) and thereafter. His last film is due to be released in two weeks for his 90th birthday playing the role of a grandfather for one of superhero Amitabh Bachchan grandsons. Advertisements for the film went out before his death on Monday.

Hema’s marriage to Dharmendra emerged out of a real life love story that developed from acting and that “remains one of the most talked-about and unconventional relationships in the film industry’s history”. She was the leading actress in the 1970s when they acted. They starred in several films before and after they got married, and she was also one of the best classical dancers in India. She still remains a leading dancer at 77 years old. She performed live in America and other diasporic countries that were attended by Guyanese. Dharmendra’s two daughters also appeared on stage with Hema. Dharmendra occasionally accompanied Hema and her two daughters.

I happened to be in Juhu, Mumbai when Dharmendra’s death became public. Juhu is the locale where iconic Bollywood stars own massive bungalows. Dharmendra lives a few houses from Amitabh and from a separate house where Hema lives. The couple don’t share the same home. Dharmendra lives with Prakash.

Around noon, as I went out for a stroll from my hotel, traffic was normal, moving apace. Less than an hour later, traffic came to an unexplained snarl only to find out that the iconic actor passed on. The family kept his death a secret and private affair, only informing selective persons from the acting fraternity. They were told to show up at the crematorium to pay their last respects. The public only found out of his death when the body was already at the crematorium for last rites. TV stations started broadcasting live that continued late into the night. TV trucks crowded the home. His two sons from his first wife did the last rite honors as is the norm in Hindu funerals.

Whenever a Bollywood artist or star dies, it is normal for the body to be at the home for people to pay respects and then taken atop a beautifully flower decorated truck to a crematorium or cemetery. The journey usually takes several hours as tens of thousands would line the streets for a glimpse of the casket or body. The journey is also broadcast live. This writer was in Juhu when Sridevi, the Queen of Indian cinema, passed away several years ago and was taken to the crematorium atop a truck. Traffic was at a standstill taking hours for. few kilometers journey. In Dharmendra’s case, the public was not informed of his death and only knew of his passing when word got around that leading actors were heading to the crematorium.Several top stars attended the funeral. Even the crematorium was kept a secret from the public and the press. The public was denied access; only family members and actors were allowed inside the gate of the crematorium to pay last respects. As it was broadcast on mass media, thousands quickly showed up at the crematorium and at his home in Juhu, an exclusive high price neighborhood with classic hotels and private residencies.

Dharmendra starred in over three hundred films. He also appeared in countless TV shows including India’s idol, a popular hit in Guyana and overseas. He was one of the most favorite actors not only in India but in Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname and the diaspora as well.

Dharmendra was born in the Punjab. His father wanted him to be a teacher. But he defied them and went into acting. Later in life, he acted in a film, the Don, as a teacher to appease his parents that he was a teacher. He dominated Bollywood for over two decades long before Amitabh Bachchan and Jeetendra became iconic stars. He appeared in films with both actors as well as other leading actors and actresses. He appeared opposite every leading lady, including Hema, Rekha, Raakhe, Sridevi, Shabana Ami, Waheeda Rahman, Asha Parekh, Mala Sinha, Mumtaz, etc. in the film industry and every top singer in the film industry sang for him in his films. He hardly missed film fare awards, the equivalent of American Oscars, and won many. He recently was given the Lifetime Achievement award in Indian cinema.
Few acted in more films than him. He was a versatile actor — adventure, drama, love story, comedy, and more. Dharmendra served as an elected member of parliament for BJP one term from his home birth place in Punjab before retiring to be replaced by his son Sunny who served two terms before stepping down. Hema is in her third term as BJP MP from Mathura, birth place of Lord Krishna. Hema also served as a nominated MP from 2003-12 coinciding for a term when her husband was MP. He was no politician; his heart was in acting.

The popular actor will be missed.