Hyderabad— Prominent figures from the Telugu film industry expressed grief on Monday following the death of veteran Hindi film actor Dharmendra, who passed away earlier in the day at the age of 89.
Megastar Chiranjeevi reflected on his interactions with the late actor, noting both Dharmendra’s stature in Indian cinema and his personal warmth. “The humility and warmth I experienced every time I met him deeply touched my heart,” he wrote on X. Extending condolences to the Deol family, he added that Dharmendra’s legacy “will continue to live on in the hearts of millions.”
Actor Mohan Babu described Dharmendra as “a towering senior in our industry and one of the finest legends Indian cinema has ever seen.” He said the late actor’s work and grace would “continue to inspire generations.”
Jr NTR said Dharmendra’s passing marked the end of an era. “An era he defined can never be replaced,” he wrote, adding that the actor’s warmth and contribution would endure.
Veteran actor Venkatesh said Dharmendra “carried a warmth that touched generations and a grace that defined an entire era of Indian cinema.” His films and performances, he said, would remain influential.
Ravi Teja remembered Dharmendra as “one of the warmest, most genuine souls” he had met, calling his death “an irreplaceable loss.” Allu Arjun also posted his condolences, calling Dharmendra “a legend who touched millions of hearts.”
Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan described Dharmendra as one of Indian cinema’s greatest icons. He cited the actor’s portrayal of Veeru in Sholay as particularly memorable and said the loss was “irreparable.”
Actors Adivi Sesh and Rakul Preet Singh, along with director Gopichand Malineni, joined others in the industry in expressing their condolences.
Dharmendra, known for his decades-long career across genres and his enduring popularity, is widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most influential stars. His death has prompted tributes from across India’s film industries. (Source: IANS)
