Members of the Telugu film industry on Monday mourned the demise of veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, recalling his contribution to Indian cinema and his association with colleagues across languages.
Megastar Chiranjeevi said Dharmendra was “not only a legendary actor but also a remarkable human being,” adding that his humility and warmth left a lasting impression. He extended condolences to the family, especially Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.
Veteran actor Mohan Babu said he was deeply saddened by the news and described Dharmendra as “a towering senior in the industry and one of the finest legends Indian cinema has ever seen.”
Actor Jr NTR said the late actor defined an era that cannot be replaced. He wrote that the warmth Dharmendra brought to cinema “will stay forever,” and offered condolences to the Deol family.
Superstar Venkatesh said Dharmendra was more than an icon and remembered him for the grace and warmth that touched generations. Actor Ravi Teja called him “one of the warmest and most genuine souls,” adding that his passing leaves an irreplaceable void.
Actor Allu Arjun described Dharmendra as “a legend who touched millions of hearts” and conveyed condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also expressed grief, recalling the actor’s performances as “Veeru” in Sholay and as the beloved “He-Man” of Indian cinema. He termed the demise “an irreparable loss to the film industry.”
Actors Adivi Sesh and Rakul Preet Singh, and director Gopichand Malineni also shared condolence messages.
Dharmendra passed away on Monday at the age of 89.
— IANS