Another valiant giant has left us: Amitabh Bachchan mourns the loss of Dharmendra

Veteran actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24, leaving the Hindi film fraternity and fans across generations in deep mourning. Paying an emotional tribute, Amitabh Bachchan said “another valiant Giant has left us ..  left the arena .. leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound.”

The two actors formed one of Bollywood’s most loved duos, with their camaraderie in Sholay still regarded as the benchmark for on-screen friendship.

Remembering Dharmendra’s legacy, Bachchan wrote that he remained “Dharam ji .. the epitome of  greatness,  ever linked not only for his renowned physical presence, but for the largeness of his heart , and its most endearing simplicity  ..” Bachchan said the actor brought with him “the earthiness of his Punjab village,” and stayed unchanged despite decades of industry shifts.

Across their careers, Bachchan and Dharmendra worked together in several memorable films including Sholay (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Dost (1974), Ram Balram (1980), Naseeb (1981), Andha Kanoon (1983), Razia Sultan (1983), among others. Their films ranged from action dramas to comedies, strengthening their reputation as one of Hindi cinema’s most dependable screen pairings.

Bachchan wrote that Dharmendra’s warmth reached everyone on a set. “his smile, his charm and his warmth , extending to all that came in his vicinity .. a rarity in the profession ..,” he said. Calling the loss irreplaceable, he added, “the air about us swings vacant .. a vacuum that shall ever remain vacuus.”

Dharmendra, widely regarded as Bollywood’s original “He-Man,” leaves behind a prolific body of work spanning more than 60 years and over 250 films. His passing marks the end of an era that shaped Hindi cinema’s identity for generations.