Naidu, Pawan Kalyan and others condole Dharmendra’s death

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said in a social media post that he was saddened by the passing of actor Dharmendra, describing him as a legend who touched the lives of millions with unforgettable performances. He said Dharmendra’s contributions to Indian cinema would be remembered for generations and extended his condolences to the actor’s family, friends, colleagues and admirers.

Deputy Chief Minister and actor K. Pawan Kalyan said he was deeply saddened by Dharmendra’s demise. In a statement, he described Dharmendra as the Hindi film industry’s first-generation action hero whose screen presence captivated audiences. He noted that the actor’s admirers affectionately called him Action King and He-Man.

He recalled Dharmendra’s distinctive style in blockbuster films such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Dharam Veer, Seeta Aur Geeta and Yaadon Ki Baaraat. He also said Dharmendra had served as a Member of Parliament for five years from 2004 and conveyed condolences to Hema Malini, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol.

IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh said on X that Dharmendra was an enduring icon of Indian cinema who won the hearts of generations, from his debut in 1960 to landmark films such as Sholay. He said Dharmendra’s body of work, spanning more than 300 films, earned him the Padma Bhushan and a cherished place in the hearts of millions.

YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy described Dharmendra as a charismatic actor and Parliamentarian who personified simplicity, humanity, warmth and energy, and offered condolences to the bereaved family.