Bollywood star Dharmendra has died in the Indian city of Mumbai at the age of 89.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor, saying his passing 'marks the end of an era in Indian cinema'.
Dharmendra, who often described himself as 'a simple man', commanded extraordinary affection and loyalty from his tens of millions of fans.
Best known as Veeru, the lovable petty criminal in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, he appeared in over 300 films, many hits, captivating audiences for decades.
Songs featuring him topped the charts, and his romance and marriage with Hema Malini made headlines.
Dubbed the 'original He-Man of Bollywood' and 'Garam (hot) Dharam', the actor often made it to global lists of 'most handsome men' in his heyday, and female fans were known to sleep with his photographs under their pillows.
Bollywood stars weren't immune to his charms either - over the years actress Madhuri Dixit described him as 'one of the most handsome people I have seen on screen', superstar Salman Khan said Dharmendra was the 'most beautiful looking man' and actress Jaya Bachchan called him 'a Greek God'.
Born on 8 December 1935 in Punjab's Ludhiana district, his journey in cinema began after winning a talent contest, leading him to Mumbai where he dominated Bollywood until the mid-90s.
Dharmendra is most fondly remembered for his role in 'Sholay', alongside Amitabh Bachchan, and colleagues have acclaimed his versatility across genres including action and comedy, earning him a reputation that transcends generations.
Throughout his life, Dharmendra maintained a humble outlook towards fame and success, valuing the love from his fans above all else.
