The complete man who left a yaadon ki baraat for generations of Indians

THROUGH HIS 60-PLUS rewarding years as an actor and legendary star, Dharmendra was dubbed “He-Man” and “Garam Dharam”.

- SHUBHRA GUPTA

The twin monikers were perfect descriptors for the burly, handsome Jat, who passed away at 90 in Mumbai on Monday, whose body of work included every genre of film in Hindi cinema. Out-and-out actioners, pensive romances and laugh-out-loud comedies.

But his best films were those in which he brought out his “Naram Dharam” side, his strong frame reflecting a softness, a gentleness, and that unique mix, so rare for his era, made him the complete man, both “naram” and “garam”.