New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Leaders across the political spectrum on Monday expressed grief over the passing of veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra, who passed away earlier in the day at a Mumbai hospital at the age of 89.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X and condoled the passing of the Bollywood star.

“Deeply anguished by the demise of legendary Hindi film actor and former MP Shri Dharmendra ji. He brought life to many memorable characters with his unmatched charm and sincerity. His remarkable contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and countless admirers,” he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Dharmendra’s passing an “irreplaceable loss for the Indian film world”. He said that the actor touched the hearts of every citizen for six decades with his finest acting.

“Coming from an ordinary family, he carved an indelible identity for himself in the film industry. Dharmendra ji was one of those rare actors who brought every character he touched to life, and through this very art, he won the hearts of millions of viewers across all age groups. Through his acting, he will forever remain among us. May God grant a place at His sacred feet to the noble soul and bestow strength upon his family and admirers to bear this sorrow,” he said.

Union Minister J.P. Nadda also took to social media and said that Dharmendra left an “indelible mark on the hearts of cinema lovers”.

“With his simplicity and vibrant performances, he has ruled the hearts of art lovers in the country and the world for decades. In this difficult time, my deepest condolences are with the grieving family and his fans. I pray to God that the departed soul finds a place at His divine feet and grants strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow,” he added.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also took to X and said, “The world of cinema will always cherish the legacy of Dharmendra Ji. Through timeless characters like the brave hero of ‘Sholay’ and the soulful poet of Satyakam, he gave us stories of valour and compassion. His ‘Yaadon ki Baaraat’ will echo through eternity.”

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed sadness, calling the loss “extremely heartbreaking”.

Calling Dharmendra “a great actor of Indian cinema and the beloved artist of all”, Chouhan said, “With his extraordinary talent, simplicity, and lively acting, he carved an indelible place in the hearts of millions of viewers. His departure marks the end of a golden era in the Indian film world. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to his family and fans to bear this sorrow.”

Union MoS Jitendra Singh also extended his condolences to Dharmendra’s family.

“Known for his down to earth image, embodying the rich flavour and fragrance of Punjab, the handsome versatile actor whom we grew up watching… will be missed for long… especially whenever there is a replay of a celluloid magic like ‘Devar’ or ‘Anupama’ or ‘Bandini’ or ‘Sholay’,” Singh said in a post on X.

“My heart goes out to our highly revered colleague in the Lok Sabha, Hema Malini ji, Sunny Deol ji, who shares a warm personal rapport and has also been MP from the neighbouring Gurdaspur, as well as the entire Deol family,” he added.

Dharmendra, who was earlier admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai, was discharged after he showed recovery.

The actor was reportedly put on a ventilator, as he was suffering from breathing difficulties. The actor used to live at his Khandala farmhouse with his first wife, Prakash Kaur. The actor had relocated to the town in light of the worsening pollution levels in the maximum city.

This marks another demise in Hindi cinema in quick succession. Earlier, actors Pankaj Dheer, Asrani, Satish Shah and advertising legend Piyush Pandey passed away last month.

–IANS

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