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Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapIndian superstar Dharmendra died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. His departure marks the end of an era in Hindi cinema, one that shaped an entire generation’s idea of heroism and charm. The late actor’s career spanned across six decades and more than 250 films. His performances gave Indian audiences a hero who could be lovable, fierce, charming, and vulnerable at the same time.
The legend was dubbed the “He-Man” of Bollywood for his rugged screen presence, but his talent was never limited to that title alone. Whether it was action, comedy, or romance, Dharmendra was a star across genres, who proved that versatility was his greatest strength. As the film world mourns his loss, here are the greatest films to remember and honor Dharmendra's legacy.
10 ‘Chupke Chupke’ (1975)
Image via Shemaroo Entertainment
Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Chupke Chupke is not just a Hindi cinema classic; it also showed Dharmendra in a completely new light. The film is a remake of the Bengali comedy Chhadmabeshi. It follows the late actor as botany professor Parimal Tripathi, who marries Sulekha (Sharmila Tagore) and then becomes determined to prove a point to her overly admired brother-in-law, Raghavendra Sharma (Om Prakash). What follows is a carefully orchestrated comedy of errors with Parimal disguising himself as the blabbering driver Pyare Mohan, who is obsessed with speaking pure Hindi.
Amitabh Bachchan stars as his friend Sukumar, who takes on the job of pretending to be Parimal himself. Chupke Chupke stars Jaya Bhaduri, Asrani, Usha Kiran, and Lily Chakravarty in supporting roles, all of whom round out the film’s effortless humor. The film has remained a fan favorite 50 years later because it’s full of situational jokes and clever plotlines that never really get old. Chupke Chupke is one of Dharmendra’s greatest films because it taps into his comic side like no other. The film gave the actor, famous for being the He-Man of Hindi cinema, a chance to prove that he is just as compelling on screen with his pure charm and wit.
9 ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ (1966)
Image via O. P. Ralhan
Phool Aur Patthar is another Dharmendra classic that completely changed the trajectory of the actor’s career. The romantic drama was the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1966 and cemented the late actor as an international sensation, particularly across Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries. Dharmendra’s iconic bare-chested scene sent audiences into a frenzy and established him as the original macho superstar of Bollywood. Aside from all that, the film was a gripping story that followed the actor as Shaka, a man shaped by cruel circumstances, who meets Shanti, the widowed (Meena Kumari), who is left to die by her oppressive in-laws during a plague outbreak. Their encounter starts as a simple robbery, but takes a turn as the two slowly learn to find refuge in each other.
However, their bond doesn’t sit well with anyone, including Shaka’s former associates. The film’s brilliance lies in its pacing and the on-screen chemistry between Kumari and Dharmendra. The late actor plays Shaka with an intensity that never crosses into melodrama. His kindness slowly reveals itself in small gestures, and Kumari perfectly complements his character arc with the tenderness she brings to Shanti. Phool Aur Patthar is a bold critique of societal expectations, the stigma around widows, and the very idea of masculinity. All of that contributes to why the film remains a milestone in Dharmendra’s career and one of his best performances of all time.
8 ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ (1972)
Image via NH Studioz
Ramesh Sippy challenged a lot of traditional conventions with Seeta Aur Geeta and also changed Dharmendra’s personal life. The comedy-drama movie stars Hema Malini in a career-defining dual role as the introverted Seeta and the fiery, street-smart Geeta. You have to appreciate Dharmendra for agreeing to play a supporting role in a woman-centric film right at the peak of his stardom. It just goes to show how secure the late actor was in his talent, which allowed him to take a step back and let the story and Malini take the spotlight.
The two co-actors also fell in love during the film’s shooting, marking the beginning of one of Bollywood’s most talked-about love stories. The film itself is a fun twist on the separated-at-birth trope with signature Bollywood flair. The story begins with the wealthy heiress Seeta running away from her abusive home and accidentally switching places with her look-alike, Geeta. Dharmendra takes on the role of Raka, Geeta’s loyal friend and eventual love interest, while Sanjeev Kumar joins the cast as a gentle doctor who falls for Seeta, not knowing that she is actually Geeta. The film is a masterclass in sharp writing and timeless humor, with R. D. Burman’s soundtrack elevating the entire experience.
7 ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ (1973)
Image via Nasir Hussain Films
Yaadon Ki Baraat features just about everything that defines Hindi cinema, and Dharmendra’s brilliant performance is one of the biggest reasons behind its rewatchability. The film, directed by Nasir Hussain and written by the powerhouse duo Salim–Javed, features Dharmendra as Shankar, the eldest of three brothers who were separated in childhood after witnessing their parents’ murder. The film combines action, romance, and drama to tell an intense story about revenge, identity, and family. Burman’s memorable soundtrack, featuring iconic songs like “Chura Liya Hai Tumne,” “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil,” and the title track, is the emotional pulse of the film that carries the story forward.
Vijay Arora and Tariq Khan play Shankar’s younger brothers with youthful energy. However, Dharmendra’s raw portrayal of a man hardened by circumstances and years of longing is what grounds the film. The scene where the three brothers finally reunite after Ratan (Khan) sings the childhood song that once bound them together still hits hard, and it’s all thanks to the actors’ effortless on-screen chemistry. Some might write the film off for being too kitschy with its high-octane action, larger-than-life villains, and melodrama, but that’s exactly what makes it a quintessential entertainer that appeals to all kinds of viewers.
6 ‘Ankhen’ (1968)
Image via Sagar Art International
Ankhen, directed by Ramanand Sagar, was one of the first and most successful spy thrillers in Hindi cinema. The film went on to become the most profitable Bollywood movie of 1968 and practically turned Dharmendra into the James Bond of India. Ankhen was ahead of its time and gave the audience a sharp, gripping espionage drama that took them across India and Beirut. The film was a technical marvel for its era, with surprisingly sleek production design and sophisticated spy gadgets. Dharmendra takes on the role of intelligence operative Sunil Mehra, who is sent to Beirut after another undercover agent is exposed and killed.
His performance is never over-the-top or caricaturish. Instead, the actor plays a vigilant, emotionally layered spy that you can’t help but trust. Sunil’s chemistry with Mala Sinha’s Meenakshi humanizes the character and gives you one more reason to root for him. Aside from that, Ankhen is brilliant in how it creates the classic sense of tension that is associated with the spy genre. The film covers everything from compromised identities to an abducted child and an undercover gang of traitors. The second half transforms into a gripping cat-and-mouse game as Sunil rushes to outsmart the enemy. In many ways, Ankhen set the benchmark for every Hindi spy-thriller that followed, but it’s safe to say that none of them can even come close to the original.
5 ‘Anupama’ (1966)
Image via Shemaroo Entertainment
Mukherjee’s Anupama is an absolute tearjerker that proved Dharmendra was far more than just the macho man that the audience believed him to be. Instead, the film showcased the actor’s soft side unlike any other. The National Award-winning drama follows Uma (Sharmila Tagore), a painfully introverted young woman whose father (Tarun Bose) has never forgiven her for the death of his wife during childbirth. After living a life full of emotional neglect, Uma slowly begins to find herself when she meets the gentle poet, Ashok (Dharmendra). The late actor’s performance in Anupama is refreshingly tender.
He makes for the perfect romantic leading man as a man who listens more than he speaks and understands Uma more than anyone else. The actor plays his role with the kind of restraint that is not seen in his more mainstream roles, but it goes to show that his range extends far beyond just action and comedy. Tagore and Dharmendra’s chemistry is the heart of the film and stands in stark contrast to Uma’s fractured relationship with her father. Anupama is the perfect example of a subtle story that leaves a lasting impact. For Dharmendra, it stands as a testament to the emotional depth he brings to his performances.
4 ‘Dharam Veer’ (1977)
Image via Shemaroo Entertainment
Dharam Veer is the kind of film that comes around once in a while. The story is set in a mythical kingdom where royalty, gladiators, knights, and samurai-style warriors live together. The very scale of Dharam Veer made it the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1977 and also a massive success in the Soviet Union, where it sold over 32 million tickets. The film follows Dharmendra as Dharam, a brave warrior who was separated from his twin brother Veer (Jeetendra) at birth. Dharam is the quintessential Hindi film hero who is cocky yet still charming and emotionally complex.
The late actor brings a conviction to his role that makes the more theatrical moments, like sword fights and gladiator sequences, feel realistic and grounded in human emotion. Dharmendra and Jeetendra’s chemistry is the film’s greatest strength and keeps you invested in their arcs until the very end. Dharam Veer is chaotic, but never overwhelming. Dharam’s fiery dynamic with Princess Pallavi (Zeenat Aman) is another memorable aspect of the film, and their eventual romance practically lights up the screen. The film works despite its wild imagination and plotlines that include scheming relatives and a heroic falcon named Sheroo because, at its core, it’s a timeless story about brotherhood.
3 ‘Satyakam’ (1969)
Image via Zee Studios
Satyakam is often remembered as Dharmendra’s greatest performance of all time. The Mukherjee-directed drama features him as Satyapriya Acharya, an engineer raised on rigid principles by his traditional grandfather (Ashok Kumar). However, as he grows up, Satyapriya realizes that the way he lives life isn’t just inconvenient, it’s also self-destructive. The turning point of his life comes when he hesitates to save Ranjana (Tagore) from exploitation. Although he later marries her in an attempt to make things right, the guilt never really leaves him. Dharmendra portrays this internal conflict with extreme honesty. His performance never leans toward melodrama, which helps sustain the film’s impact.
The late actor communicates Satyapriya’s dilemma without ever raising his voice, and more often than not, he speaks through his silence. Satyakam is miles away from Dharmendra’s typical hero image, where he breaks all the rules and dominates the screen with his larger-than-life presence. By the final act, Satyapriya’s world is turned upside down, and he begins to question everything he has ever known. However, even then, the film ends on a hopeful note, which is everything the audience grows to want for the central character. Satyakam is a critique of the corruption that seeps into everyday life, not just through systems and institutions, but also through individual actions.
2 ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ (1971)
Image via Khosla Enterprises
Raj Khosla’s Mera Gaon Mera Desh blended Western influences with classic Bollywood action and became a trendsetter that shaped the Hindi dacoit genre. The film follows Dharmendra as Ajit, a small-time thief who gets a second chance at life after Havaldar Major Jaswant Singh (Jayant) takes him in and treats him like a son. The redemption arc takes a turn when the brutal bandit Jabbar Singh (Vinod Khanna) unleashes terror on the surrounding villages. Mera Gaon Mera Desh is the film that earned Dharmendra his He-Man reputation. However, his performance still has a surprising amount of nuance, despite following the typical action hero’s journey.
Ajit is a flawed man who is initially motivated by selfish reasons rather than anything else. That makes his transformation into a fearless protector feel earned. His confrontation with Jabbar Singh and his entire army of dacoits remains one of the most iconic moments of Dharmendra's film career. Mera Gaon Mera Desh also features Laxmi Chhaya and Asha Parekh in supporting roles that only elevate the film’s emotional stakes. The action drama is one of the defining works of Hindi cinema and marks an important chapter in Dharmendra’s filmography.
1 ‘Sholay’ (1975)
Image via Sippy Films
Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay is an immortal masterpiece. The film redefined what an epic looked like in Hindi cinema, and Dharmendra’s Veeru is the heart of that legacy. The action-adventure is a genre-bending story that continues to have an impact on audiences 50 years later. From its iconic dialogues to memorable songs and a villain scary enough to give anyone nightmares, Sholay is a story for the ages. The film follows Veeru and Jai (Bachchan), two small-time crooks who are recruited by Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan). The seemingly simple job tests the two leads’ courage, loyalty, and even morality.
Dharmendra and Bachchan’s effortless chemistry drives the story forward, while Malini’s Basanti serves as his romantic interest and brings warmth to the narrative. Aside from all that, Sholay thrives on spectacle. The film operates on a grand scale with ambitious set pieces, grand musical numbers, and, of course, some of the most iconic action sequences in Indian cinema. Whether it’s the train robbery, the Holi attack, or the showdown in Gabbar’s hideout, Sippy directs Sholay with a sense of fearlessness that balances drama with intimate human moments. The film explores moral grey zones with Jai and Veeru, giving the story its lasting philosophical weight. Sholay is an unforgettable cinematic experience that has shaped generations of filmmakers and moviegoers, and its legacy will only continue to grow with time.
Sholay
Action
Release Date
August 15, 1975
Runtime
210 minutes
Director
Ramesh Sippy
Cast
Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Leela Mishra, Mac Mohan, Viju Khote, A.K. Hangal, Govardhan Asrani, Jagdeep, Satyendra Kapoor, Keshto Mukherjee, Iftekhar, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Arvind Joshi, Sharad Kumar, Gita Siddharth, Vikas Anand, Raj Kishore, Om Shivpuri, Jalal Agha, Helen
Writers
Javed Akhtar
Genres
Action
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