Mumbai, Nov 24 (NationPress) Bollywood icon Dharmendra left us at the age of 89 on Monday, prompting actor Pulkit Samrat to express his sorrow over the departure of this legendary figure, who he believes “supported entire generations with his bravery, charisma, and kindness.”

Pulkit took to Instagram to share a striking black-and-white photograph of Dharmendra, captioning it: “There are actors… and then there are pillars!! Dharam ji supported entire generations with his bravery, charisma, and kindness!!”

He noted that the film industry has lost a true “father figure.”

“Today… cinema mourns the loss of a father figure…! We grew up watching him take down villains, enchant audiences, and safeguard those he loved.. But the real hero was always the man behind the legend!! Dharam ji, thank you for the goodness you carried so effortlessly.. The industry feels emptier today. #RIP.”

Dharmendra, who passed away in Mumbai, will be seen posthumously in 'Ikkis', directed by the talented Sriram Raghavan.

The octogenarian made his film debut with the 1960 classic Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. He gained fame in the mid-1960s for notable films such as Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.

Throughout the late 1960s to the 1980s, he starred in numerous successful Hindi films, including Ankhen, Shikar, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Jeevan Mrityu, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raja Jani, Jugnu, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dost, Sholay, Pratiggya, Charas, Dharam Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Ghulami, Hukumat, Aag Hi Aag, Elaan-E-Jung, Tahalka, Anpadh, Bandini, Haqeeqat, Anupama, Mamta, Majhli Didi, Satyakam, Naya Zamana, Samadhi, Resham Ki Dori, Chupke Chupke, Dillagi, The Burning Train, Ghazab, Do Dishayen, and Hathyar.

In the late 1990s, he transitioned into character roles in various successful and critically acclaimed films, such as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Life in a... Metro, Apne, Johnny Gaddaar, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.