Why Did Akshay Kumar Call Dharmendra The Hero Every Boy Wanted To Be?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dharmendra was a pivotal figure in Bollywood, inspiring generations.
- Akshay Kumar honors his legacy with heartfelt tributes.
- The film Maidan-E-Jung is a significant collaboration between the two stars.
- Dharmendra’s influence extends beyond his films into the lives of aspiring actors.
- His recent health struggles were concerning but he was discharged in stable condition.
Mumbai, Nov 24 (NationPress) The renowned Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar paid a heartfelt homage to the legendary Dharmendra on Monday. Kumar reflected on his experience working with the veteran star in the 1995 film “Maidan-E-Jung”, honoring him as the epitome of heroism that every boy aspired to be.
Expressing his sorrow, Akshay described Dharmendra as the industry's “original He-Man”, whose remarkable stature influenced countless generations of actors and audiences alike.
Accompanying a photo with the late icon on Instagram, he shared: “As a child, Dharmendra ji was the hero every boy wished to emulate... our industry’s original He-Man. Thank you for being an inspiration through the years. Your legacy will endure in your films and the affection you shared. Om Shanti.”
Maidan-E-Jung, directed by K.C. Bokadia, features a star-studded cast including Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, Jaya Prada, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, Mukesh Khanna, Amrish Puri, and Gulshan Grover. This film notably marked the final on-screen appearance of Manoj Kumar, who retired from acting after its release and passed away in April 2025.
The esteemed Bollywood figure, Dharmendra, aged 89, sadly departed on Monday morning.
Just days prior, on November 12, he had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and was reported to be in stable condition, recuperating well at home.
During that time, Dr. Rajiv Sharma from the hospital informed IANS that the beloved star had left the premises “fully satisfied” after receiving adequate treatment.
He was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where on November 10, sources close to IANS reported that Dharmendra was critical and on life support.
On October 31, the actor was under strict medical supervision by leading doctors at Breach Candy Hospital.
Notably, the superstar was set to celebrate his 90th birthday on December 8.
On a related note, Akshay Kumar was recently seen in Jolly LLB 3, directed by Subhash Kapoor. This film serves as the third installment in the Jolly LLB series and a sequel to Jolly LLB 2, featuring Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Shukla, alongside Amrita Rao and Huma Qureshi, all reprising their roles from previous films.