Dharmendra Passes Away On Sholay Writer, Salim Khan's 90th B'Day, Old Statement On Struggle Surfaces

Bollywood's 'He-Man', Dharmendra, who was one of the most handsome stars of the Hindi entertainment industry, breathed his last on November 24, 2025. The veteran megastar was discharged from Mumbai's Breach Candy earlier in November 2025. He was recovering at his home, but this morning, an ambulance was seen exiting his Juhu home, marking the end of an era. Now, coincidentally, Sholay's 'Veeru' a.k.a Dharmendra, passed away on the day of Sholay's writer, Salim Khan's 90th birthday. An old statement of Salim remembering his and Dharmendra's struggles has now gone viral on social media.

Salim Khan once recollected his and Dharmendra's struggles

Dharmendra's friend and the writer of Sholay, Salim Khan, had reached Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai to pay his last respects to his dearest friend. Salim had turned 90 on November 24, 2025, and receiving this sad news on his birthday is in itself a shock. Salim had a very old bond with Dharmendra. It was in 1998 when 'He-Man' reunited with Salim for Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Salim, back then, according to a report by the Hindustan Times, shared:

"Dharam ji se mera bohot hi purana association hai, 1958-1959 se. Both of us had come together, both of us have seen a lot of struggle. Aur bohot si cheezein common bhi hain. Aur, ab kya kahun ki usme se kaun si ek major cheez common hai. Toh bohot si cheezein common hain."

Dharmendra's demise has sent grief across the whole of India. His dearest friend, Salim Khan, is also coping with the irreplaceable loss. Reportedly, Salim, in an earlier statement, had called 'Dharam Paaji' a wonderful person. Salim recollected how, back then, whenever a movie was made, directors used to first think of Dharmendra. In the words of Salim:

"He's a wonderful person and jab bhi inko khayal aaya ki iss film mein kis ko liya jaaye toh inko pehla khayal Dharam ji ka hi aaya. He's like a family member and like an elder brother to us. That's all I can say about him."

Salim Khan arrives to pay last respects to his friend, Dharmendra, on his birthday

Salim Khan reportedly had arrived in a car amid high security to pay his last respects to his dearest friend. Dharmendra's family has not yet shared any official statement with the media. His second wife, Hema Malini, and daughter, Esha Deol, were seen at the Pawan Hans Crematorium. Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan were also seen paying their last respects to the 'He-Man' of Bollywood. The Deol family is bereaved at the moment and is trying to cope with the loss of Dharmendra, whose demise has left a void in the hearts of their fans.

Salim Khan and Dharmendra's collaboration

Salim Khan had an old association with Dharmendra, and their collaboration on Ramesh Sippy's Sholay made it a cult classic and an evergreen movie. Salman Khan's dad, Salim, is one of the most influential writers in Hindi cinema. He and Javed Akhtar together had changed the landscape of the movie industry back in the 1970s. Salim, with Javed, had given movies such as Sholay, Deewar, Don, Zanjeer, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, and Seeta Aur Geeta. However, Salim has lost his 'Veeru' on his birthday, and the loss cannot be put into words. Dharmendra's health had reportedly improved, and he was taken home from Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital. However, weeks before his 90th birthday, he passed away.

Team BollywoodShaadis offers condolences to the family of Dharmendra.

Also Read: Who Are Dharmendra's Daughters From First Wife, Prakash Kaur? Ajeeta-Vijeeta Absent From Bollywood

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