Month: November 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on November 25 (Tuesday) to offer prayers and to hoist the saffron flag atop the temple.

Calling Lord Shri Ram “the soul of India,” PM Modi described the occasion as a matter of great fortune and said the flag symbolises Lord Ram’s ideals, valour, and India’s faith and cultural heritage.

प्रभु श्री राम भारतवर्ष की आत्मा, उसकी चेतना और उसके गौरव का आधार हैं। मेरे लिए यह परम सौभाग्य की बात है कि कल 25 नवंबर को सुबह करीब 10 बजे अयोध्या के दिव्य-भव्य श्री राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर परिसर में दर्शन-पूजन का अवसर प्राप्त होगा। इसके बाद दोपहर लगभग 12 बजे श्री राम लला के पवित्र…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 24, 2025

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Lord Shri Ram is the soul of India, the basis of its consciousness and its pride. For me, it is a matter of supreme fortune that tomorrow, on 25 November, at around 10 a.m., I will have the opportunity for darshan and worship in the divine and magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex in Ayodhya.”

“Thereafter, at around 12 noon, I will witness the historic moment of the formal hoisting of the saffron flag atop the sacred temple of Shri Ram Lala. This flag is a symbol of Lord Shri Ram’s radiance, valor and his ideals, as well as our faith, spirituality and cultural heritage. Jai Shri Ram!” the post read.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the saffron flag tomorrow atop the Shri Ram Temple, a momentous occasion expected to attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors.

At around 10 AM, the Prime Minister will visit Saptmandir which houses temples related to Maharshi Vashishtha, Maharshi Vishwamitra, Maharshi Agastya, Maharshi Valmiki, Devi Ahilya, Nishadraj Guha and Mata Shabari. This will be followed by a visit to Sheshavtar Mandir.

At around 11 AM, the Prime Minister will visit Mata Annapurna Mandir. After this, he will perform Darshan and Pooja at Ram Darbar Garbh Grah, which will be followed by Darshan at Ram Lalla Garbha Grah.

At around 12 noon, the Prime Minister will ceremonially hoist a saffron flag on the Shikhar of the sacred Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, symbolising the completion of the temple’s construction and ushering in a new chapter of cultural celebration and national unity.

The Prime Minister will also address the gathering on this historic occasion.

The programme will take place on the auspicious Panchami of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha, coinciding with the Abhijit Muhurat of Shri Ram and Maa Sita’s Vivah Panchami, a day symbolising divine union.

This date also marks the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, who meditated in Ayodhya for 48 uninterrupted hours in the 17th century, further enhancing the spiritual significance of the day.

The right-angled triangular flag, measuring ten feet in height and twenty feet in length, bears the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance and valour of Bhagwan Shri Ram, with an ‘Om’ inscribed on it along with the image of the Kovidara tree.

The sacred saffron flag will convey a message of dignity, unity, and cultural continuity, embodying the ideals of Ram Rajya.

The flag will rise atop a Shikhar constructed in the traditional North Indian Nagara architectural style, while the surrounding 800-metre Parkota, a circumambulatory enclosure built around the temple, designed in the South Indian architectural tradition, showcases the temple’s architectural diversity.

The temple complex features 87 intricately carved stone episodes from the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram based on the Valmiki Ramayana on the outer walls of the main temple, and 79 bronze-cast episodes from Indian culture placed along the enclosure walls. Together, these elements provide a meaningful and educational experience to all visitors, offering deep insight into Bhagwan Shri Ram’s life and the cultural heritage of India. (ANI)

India has issued a strong demarche to the Chinese side, in Beijing and in Delhi, over the incident of the Indian national Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, facing harassment from Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport, sources said on Monday.

The sources said India’s Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter locally and extended assistance to the stranded passenger.

It was stressed that the passenger had been detained on ludicrous grounds. Arunachal Pradesh is indisputably Indian territory and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports.

It has also been highlighted that the actions of the Chinese authorities are in contravention of the Chicago and Montreal Conventions relating to civil aviation.

“A strong demarche was made with the Chinese side, in Beijing and in Delhi, on the same day the incident took place. Our Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter locally and extended fullest assistance to the stranded passenger,” a source said.

Sources said it has also been highlighted that the actions of the Chinese authorities are in contravention of the Chicago and Montreal Conventions relating to civil aviation.

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, has said that she faced harassment from Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport, who “mocked and raised questions” over her Indian citizenship and noted that her 18-hour ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India’s missions in Shanghai and Beijing.

She also alleged “humiliating, questionable behaviour” from the staff of China Eastern Airlines.

Prema Thongdok claimed that Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport declared her Indian passport invalid and delayed her travel to Japan.

“When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, ‘Arunachal is not part of India’ and started mocking and laughing and saying things like ‘you should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian,” Thongdok told ANI

Thongdok said she is an Indian citizen residing in the United Kingdom for about 14 years and was travelling from London to Japan via a transit in Shanghai.

“One of the officials from the Chinese immigration came over and singled me out of the queue. I asked her what was happening, and she went on to say, ‘Arunachal- not India, China-China, your visa is not acceptable. Your passport is invalid’… When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, ‘Arunachal is not part of India’ and started mocking and laughing and saying things like ‘you should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian’… I have transited through Shanghai in the past with no issues at all,” she added.

Thongdok said she couldn’t get in touch with her family for a very long time.

“The airline staff of China Eastern and about two other immigration officers were speaking in their language and saying and pointing out and saying Arunachal and laughing and calling it China, not India. That was a very humiliating, questionable behaviour from the immigration staff as well as the airline staff,” she alleged

“I called up the Shanghai and Beijing Indian embassies and within an hour, the Indian officials came to the airport, got me some food and spoke through the issues with them and helped me get out of the country. A very long ordeal, 18 hours, but glad that I’m out of there. I had my Indian passport which is a valid document…,” she added.

The incident has come amid what is being seen as an upturn in ties between India and China following interactions among senior leaders of two countries.

India has been firmly rejecting China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, saying that the northeastern state is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

Responding to media queries in May this year on China renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affaris spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that India categorically rejects such attempts.

“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically,” he said.

“Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” he added. (ANI)

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, has said that she faced harassment from Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport, who “mocked and raised questions” over her Indian citizenship and noted that her 18-hour ordeal came to an end with the help of officials from India’s missions in Shanghai and Beijing.

She also alleged “humiliating, questionable behaviour” from the staff of China Eastern Airlines.

Prema Thongdok claimed that Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai Pudong Airport declared her Indian passport invalid and delayed her travel to Japan.

“When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, ‘Arunachal is not part of India’ and started mocking and laughing and saying things like ‘you should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian,” Thongdok told ANI

Thongdok said she is an Indian citizen residing in the United Kingdom for about 14 years and was travelling from London to Japan via a transit in Shanghai.

“One of the officials from the Chinese immigration came over and singled me out of the queue. I asked her what was happening, and she went on to say, ‘Arunachal- not India, China-China, your visa is not acceptable. Your passport is invalid’… When I tried to question them and ask them what the issue was, they said, ‘Arunachal is not part of India’ and started mocking and laughing and saying things like ‘you should apply for the Chinese passport, you’re Chinese, you’re not Indian’… I have transited through Shanghai in the past with no issues at all,” she added.

Thongdok said she couldn’t get in touch with her family for a very long time.

“The airline staff of China Eastern and about two other immigration officers were speaking in their language and saying and pointing out and saying Arunachal and laughing and calling it China, not India. That was a very humiliating, questionable behaviour from the immigration staff as well as the airline staff,” she alleged

“I called up the Shanghai and Beijing Indian embassies and within an hour, the Indian officials came to the airport, got me some food and spoke through the issues with them and helped me get out of the country. A very long ordeal, 18 hours, but glad that I’m out of there. I had my Indian passport which is a valid document…,” she added.

The incident has come amid what is being seen as an upturn in ties between India and China following interactions among senior leaders of two countries.

India has firmly rejected China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh, saying that the northeastern state is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

Responding to media queries in May this year on China renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affaris spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that India categorically rejects such attempts.

“We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically,” he said.

“Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” he added. (ANI)

In a major step towards restitution of assets in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case linked to fugitive Mehul Choksi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has handed over four attached flats in Mumbai to the liquidator.

ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office took the step by handing over these flats from the Tatva Urja project in Mumbai’s Borivali (East) to the liquidator on November 21.

These properties, attached in the money-laundering case involving Mehul Choksi and others, will now be monetised for the benefit of victims, secured creditors, and other eligible claimants, said the ED in a statement on Monday.

With this, immovable and movable assets worth a cumulative Rs 310 crore located in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Surat have so far been transferred to the liquidator of Gitanjali Gems Ltd.

The ED’s probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) revealed that between 2014 and 2017, Mehul Choksi, along with his associates and Punjab National Bank officials, fraudulently obtained Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit, causing a wrongful loss of Rs 6,097.63 crore to PNB. Choksi had also defaulted on a loan taken from ICICI Bank.

During the investigation, the ED carried out searches at over 136 locations nationwide, seizing valuables and jewellery worth Rs 597.75 crore belonging to the Gitanjali Group. Additionally, movable and immovable assets worth Rs 1,968.15 crore, including properties in India and abroad, vehicles, bank accounts, factory units, listed shares, and jewellery, were attached.

In total, the ED has attached or seized assets worth Rs 2,565.90 crore in the case, and three prosecution complaints have been filed.

To fast-track the return of proceeds to victim banks, the ED and the banks jointly approached the Special PMLA court in Mumbai with a consent application. The court directed the agency to facilitate the valuation and auction of the attached properties by the banks and liquidators. It further ordered that all sale proceeds be deposited in PNB and ICICI Bank as fixed deposits.

“The remaining assets are being handed over to the banks and the liquidator in line with the court’s directions,” added the federal agency. (ANI)

Stepping up its probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached industrial land in Haryana belonging to a Himachal Pradesh-based company accused of diverting the Codeine-based cough syrup “Cocrex” for illicit drug use.

The agency said its Jammu sub-zonal office provisionally attached the immovable property worth Rs 1 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The property comprises industrial land at Panipat, Haryana, of Vidit Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh.

As per the ED’s statement, the agency initiated investigation in respect of case registered by Jammu division of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) against Vidit Healthcare (Managing Partner, Neeraj Bhatia) Niket Kansal and others “for illegal diversion of a Codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS), “Cocrex”, for misuse as intoxicant/drug, from manufacturer, Vidit Healthcare.”

ED investigation revealed that “Vidit Healthcare supplied CBCS to entities such as S S Industries, Kansal Industries, Nouveta Pharma, Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N K Pharmaceuticals (all operated and controlled by Niket Kansal, resident of Delhi) during 2018-24, to the tune of about Rs 16.74 crore.”

“Part of such illegally diverted CBCS was supplied to Raees Ahmed Bhat, who belongs to Srinagar, from whom large quantities of CBCS were seized on January 14, 2024, by the NCB,” said the ED.

ED investigation further revealed that Vidit Healthcare earned gross profit estimated to be Rs 2.92 crore as Proceeds of Crime from the sale of codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) to entities operated by Niket Kansal, identified as S S Industries, Kansal Industries, Nouveta Pharma, Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N K Pharmaceuticals.”

Earlier in this case, ED had conducted a search at the premises of Neeraj Bhatia and Niket Kansal on February 13 this year, resulting inthe seizure of cash amounting to Rs 32 lakh and jewellery valued at Rs 1.61 crore from the residential premises of Neeraj Bhatia and in furtherance of investigations. (ANI)

Soon after news of Dharmendra’s passing broke on Monday, members of the film fraternity rushed to the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle, where the last rites of Bollywood veteran were performed.

Actors Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone were spotted arriving at the cremation ground to pay condolences to the Deol family.

Amitabh Bachchan, Saira Banu, Abhishek Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Salim Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Anil Sharma, Salman Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur and several others also paid their last respects.

The ‘He Man’ of Indian Cinema had been unwell for some time. On November 10, Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital following a deterioration in his health.

Two days later, Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital as the family opted for home treatment.

Sadly, on November 24, he breathed his last at the age of 89.

Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur; his second wife, actress Hema Malini; and six children, including sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita from his first marriage, as well as daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his second marriage. (ANI)

Five people died and several others were injured after a bus fell nearly 70 metres into a gorge near the Kunjapuri-Hindolakhal area under Narendra Nagar in Tehri district on Monday.

AIIMS Rishikesh PRO Sandeep Kumar said that multiple victims of the Tehri bus accident were brought to the hospital with serious injuries, while five passengers were declared dead on arrival.

“Some people have suffered internal injuries, while some have head injuries. Five people were brought here dead,” he said.

“Among the other patients, those named Deepsikha and Dikha are from Punjab and have been admitted to the hospital,” he added.

Earlier, Chief Medical Officer Shyaam Vijay confirmed that the bus was carrying 18 passengers when it fell into a gorge near Kunjapuri in Tehri.

“There were a total of 18 people on board the bus. Five people have died, while 13 others have been injured. Three of the injured passengers have been referred to AIIMS Rishikesh, and 10 have been sent to Narendra Nagar Hospital for treatment,” he said.

Suresh Patel, a survivor from Gujarat, said that several of the injured were taken to AIIMS Rishikesh for urgent medical attention.

“The injured passengers from the bus accident in Kunjapuri, Tehri, were brought to AIIMS Rishikesh,” Patel said.

“Four injured individuals have been admitted to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment, where they are currently undergoing medical care,” he added.

He also said that all passengers involved in the accident were from Gujarat. “Five people have died in the accident, and their bodies have been kept at AIIMS Rishikesh. All the passengers are reported to be from Gujarat,” he said.

Further details awaited. (ANI)

International superstar Jennifer Lopez lit up Udaipur on Sunday night, delivering a spectacular performance at Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju’s wedding reception party, leaving guests enthralled by her high energy and star power.

The singer delivered a high-octane show as she blended her global hits like ‘Waiting for Tonight’, ‘Play’, ‘Save Me Tonight’, ‘On the Floor’, and ‘Get Right’, among others, further teaming them up with her captivating dance moves.

In visuals going viral on social media, audiences were seen grooving along to her chart-toppers, creating an electrifying atmosphere that reflected both celebration and sheer entertainment.

Wizcraft Weddings has shared several clips from the functions of Netra and Vamsi, including those of JLo’s performance from last night.

For the performance, Lopez chose a mix of stunning, bold outfits, including a black dress with cut-out designs and long boots, followed by a shimmery golden bodysuit paired with matching knee-high boots. Fans were equally delighted to see Jennifer Lopez performing live and with such high energy.

At one point, JLo also raised a toast for the newlywed couple.

Prior to her performance, Lopez added a touch of ethnic flair to her visit by wearing a beautiful saree for the wedding ceremony. With her signature charisma, the singer was dressed in an embellished saree in the shades of rose gold from the shelves of Manish Malhotra. She paired the outfit with a matching blouse and emerald jewellery from the same label.

Over the weekend, JLo arrived in India for the star-studded wedding celebrations of Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju. Visuals of JLo greeting the Indian paps as she exited the airport have been circulating on the internet since she touched down in India. (ANI)

Calling the tragic crash of the light combat aircraft Tejas during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show an “isolated occurrence arising out of exceptional circumstances”, its maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday asserted that there is “no impact” on its business operations, financial performance or future deliveries.

In a stock exchange filing, the state-owned company stated that it is extending full support and cooperation to the agencies investigating the crash and will keep stakeholders informed of any material developments.

“We would like to bring to your attention that the recent incident during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show is an isolated occurrence arising out of exceptional circumstances,” the company said in the exchange filing.

“We would like to assure that there is no impact on the Company’s business operations, financial performance or its future deliveries. The Company is extending its full support and cooperation to the agencies conducting the investigation. The Company will continue to keep the stakeholders informed of any material developments,” the company further added.

The stocks of defence sector major Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) tanked by about 9 per cent in early trade on Monday. The Public Sector Unit’s (PSUs) stock declined as much as 8.48 per cent to Rs 4,205.25 at open on the BSE. At the time of filing this report, HAL’s stock was trading at Rs 4,452.20, down 142.80 points or 3.11 per cent.

A Tejas aircraft of the IAF crashed at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, resulting in the death of the Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal. The last rites of Wing Commander were performed on Sunday at his native village, Patialkar, in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF said in its statement.

HAL’s Tejas aircraft is an indigenously developed, multi-role combat aircraft with a canard delta wing design, capable of air defence, reconnaissance, and strike missions.

In October this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the third Production Line of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A and the second Production Line of Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on October 17, 2025. He also flagged-off the first LCA Mk1A produced at the facility.

In his address, the Minister had described the flight of the state-of-the-art aircraft as a shining symbol of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in defence.

Highlighting the transformation of the defence sector in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he asserted that the country, which once imported 65-70 per cent of critical military hardware, is now manufacturing 65 per cent of the equipment on its own soil. He voiced the Government’s resolve to increase domestic manufacturing to 100 per cent in the near future. (ANI)

The ‘He-Man’ of Bollywood, Dharmendra, who worked in over 300 films and created an everlasting impact with his acting skills, handsome looks, and distinctive roles, left for a heavenly abode at the age of 89 on Monday.

Filmmaker Karan Johar confirmed the demise in an emotional social media post. An official statement from Dharmendra’s family is still awaited. The news comes just weeks ahead of his 90th birthday on December 8.

“It is an end of an ERA….. a massive mega star… the embodiment of a HERO in mainstream cinema… incredibly handsome and the most enigmatic screen presence … he is and will always be a bonafide Legend of Indian Cinema… defining and richly present in the pages of cinema history … but mostly he was the best human being… he was so loved by everyone in our industry ….,” Karan’s Instagram post read.

He only had immense love and positivity for everyone … his blessings, his hug and his incredible warmth will be missed more than words can describe … Today there is a gaping hole in our industry … a space that can never be filled by anyone … there will always be the one and only DHARAMJI… we love you kind Sir…. We will miss you so much…. The heavens are blessed today…. It will always be my blessing to have worked with you…. And my heart says with respect, reverence and love…. Abhi Na jao chodke…. Ke dil abhi bhara nahi……,” he said.

Dharmendra is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur; his second wife, actress Hema Malini; and six children, including sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughters Vijeta and Ajeita from his first marriage, as well as daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his second marriage.

Born Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on December 8, 1935, in the village of Nasrali in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, his father, Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, was a school headmaster. His love for movies took him to Mumbai, and he made his film debut with the 1960s romantic drama ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’, directed by Arjun Hingorani. Though the film flopped, it opened doors to a world of his dreams.

However, he got his first commercial success in 1961 with Ramesh Saigal’s ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’. He followed it with hits, such as Mohan Kumar’s ‘Anpadh’ (1962) and Bimal Roy’s ‘Bandini’ (1963), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

In 1965, he had another major success in Ram Maheshwari’s romantic drama ‘Kaajal’, also starring Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Padmini in the lead roles. In 1966, Dharmendra reunited with Meena Kumari for O. P. Ralhan’s ‘Phool Aur Patthar’. The film topped the box office chart in 1966, becoming a major blockbuster and making him a saleable star.

He became the heartthrob of the 60s, and during this decade, he paired with legends like Nutan, Mala Sinha, Saira Banu, Vyjayanthimala, Meena Kumari, and Suchitra Sen, delivering romantic hits.

Dharmendra’s romantic hero image in the 1960s and early 1970s was characterised by his dashing good looks, charming smile, and soulful eyes, which captivated audiences across India. His romantic roles in films like ‘Aayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Ankhen’, ‘Neela Aakash’, ‘Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, ‘Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya’, ‘Mohabbat Zindagi Hai’, ‘Pyar Hi Pyar’, and ‘Mamta’ showcased his versatility as a leading man, effortlessly conveying yearning and tenderness.

Throughout the years, Dharmendra’s filmography grew to include iconic blockbusters such as ‘Sholay’, ‘Raja Jani’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta, ‘Kahani Kismat Ki’, ‘Yaadon Ki Baraat’, ‘Charas’, ‘Azaad’, and ‘Dillagi’, showcasing his incredible range and versatility as an actor.

It was his charismatic presence, rugged good looks and unforgettable action-packed roles that solidified his status as an action icon.

As one of the greatest action stars of the 1970s and 1980s, Dharmendra delivered unforgettable performances in films such as ‘Dharam Veer’, ‘Gundagardi’, ‘Loafer, Jugnu, and, of course, the iconic Sholay. His acting in this phase blended emotional nuance, physicality, and comic timing, proving his versatility, which was far beyond a single genre.

In 1973, he delivered eight hits, and in 1987, Dharmendra delivered seven consecutive hits and nine successful movies in a single year.

His contributions to Indian cinema were acknowledged with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012.

Dharmendra’s heroic sheen dimmed in the 1990s. From 1990 to 1992, his successful films included ‘Naakabandi’ (1990), ‘Veeru Dada’ (1990),’Humse Na Takrana’ (1990), ‘Kohraam’ (1991) and ‘Tahalka’ (1992).

In the mid-1990s, he worked in ‘Policewala Gunda’ (1995) and ‘Mafia’ (1996), but his other releases, including ‘Maidan-E-Jung’ (1995) and ‘Return of Jewel Thief’ (1996), proved to be box office failures.

He gracefully shifted to supporting and character roles, bringing his trademark humility and wit to every frame. His film in this role was Sohail Khan’s romantic comedy ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’ (1998), co-starring Salman Khan, Kajol, and Arbaaz Khan. The veteran star also worked in films such as ‘Kaise Kahoon Ke… Pyaar Hai’ (2003) and ‘Kis Kis Ki Kismat’ (2004), both of which were box office failures.

After this, he took a brief hiatus and returned with three films in 2007. These were – Anurag Basu’s drama film ‘Life in a… Metro’, Anil Sharma’s sports drama ‘Apne’ and Sriram Raghavan’s neo-noir thriller ‘Johnny Gaddaar’. Both ‘Life in a… Metro’ and ‘Apne’ proved to be critical and commercial successes.

In 2023, he surprised everyone with his stellar performance in Karan Johar’s directorial ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. With his role, he literally proved that age is just a number. A much-discussed highlight from the film was his kiss with co-star Shabana Azmi, a moment that many hailed as a tender, progressive portrayal of love in later years, and one that took audiences pleasantly by surprise.

Even Dharmendra acknowledged the much-hyped scene. In a previous interview with ANI, the veteran star humorously recalled a conversation he had with co-star Ranveer Singh, saying, “Maine Ranveer ko bola, Ranveer, Rocky aur Rani ki prem kahani me, tune to bohot kisses ki hain, or meri ek hi kiss ne hila dala logo ko.”

Dharmendra’s footprint stretches beyond the silver screen. He was a Member of Parliament from Bikaner (2004-2009), a judge on the reality show “India’s Got Talent” (2011), and has appeared in historical series ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’.

He was also seen in Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon’s romantic comedy ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, which reminded a new generation of his effortless charm. His upcoming project includes ‘Ikkis’.

He also produced landmark films under Vijayta Films. ‘Betaab’ (1983) launched son Sunny Deol, and ‘Ghayal’ (1990) won seven Filmfare Awards, including Best Film.

Dharmendra continued to defy time, staying dedicated to his fitness routine. He inspired his admirers by sharing glimpses of his regular exercise routine. He posted videos and reels from the gym, showing himself working out gracefully in a pool.

His nostalgic posts and reels on Instagram fetched thousands of likes from fans.

Not just in his professional journey, but even in his personal life, he has always remained in the spotlight. He had always shared a deeply affectionate bond with his family, especially with his children. Sunny, Bobby and Esha, in particular, have carried his cinematic legacy with grace and pride. They often acknowledge that whatever they are today is because of him.

Dharmendra will always be considered the epitome of romance, action, reinvention and grace for centuries.(ANI)