Dharmendra, the legendary “He-Man” of Hindi cinema who passed away at 89, was one of the few Bollywood stars who never bowed to the underworld during the 1980s and 90s when gangsters held deep influence over the film industry. While many actors surrendered to extortion calls or agreed to work under mafia-linked producers, Dharmendra earned a reputation for fearlessness.
Actor-director Satyajeet Puri recently revealed that Dharmendra openly challenged the mafia, warning that if threatened, “the entire village of Sahnewal in Punjab” would arrive to fight for him. His defiance ensured that the underworld never risked approaching him.
Puri also recalled incidents showcasing Dharmendra’s raw courage: saving a horse and himself during a dangerous stunt gone wrong on the sets of Ghulami, disarming a man who attacked him with a knife, and maintaining a rugged, fearless persona unlike today’s stars who move with heavy security.
Dharmendra’s final appearance will be in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, where he plays the father of Param Vir Chakra awardee Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem