A legendary figure in Bollywood who amassed a $50 million fortune has passed away just before his 90th birthday.
Dharmendra Deol, a revered Indian actor nicknamed the ‘He-Man’ of Hindi cinema, passed away in Mumbai at 89 on Monday, November 24.
He rose to prominence in Hindi cinema, enjoying a career that spanned six decades and involved over 300 films.
Recognized as one of the most dashing stars in the industry, he was among the highest-earning actors during his era.
The actor, known simply as Dharmendra, made his first appearance in the 1960 film Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.
His significant breakthrough came in 1966 with Phool Aur Patthar, establishing himself as a leading man in the industry.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the actor, noting that his passing ‘marks the end of an era in Indian cinema’.
The seasoned actor was not only an actor but also a movie producer and a former politician while creating a multi-million dollar business empire.
During the 1970s and 1980s, he was one of the highest-paid leading actors, earning substantial fees per film along with profit shares from producers.
For instance, in the 1975 action-comedy Sholay, Dharmendra earned 1.5 lakh rupees, which today would be more than $195,000, according to India.com.
Dharmendra carefully managed his finances, amassing a net worth of 450 crore rupees, equivalent to over $50 million, as reported by Live Mint.
He invested in various properties in Mumbai, one of India’s most expensive cities.
Among his assets was a 100-acre farmhouse in Lonavala, a luxurious hill station located between Mumbai and Pune.
The property featured landscaped gardens, water therapy areas, and serene surroundings.
Dharmendra also ventured into the hospitality sector, establishing restaurants inspired by his popular film characters.
These included Garam Dharam Dhaba, a themed restaurant chain modeled after a Punjabi roadside diner.
Additionally, he launched the He-Man Restaurant, paying homage to his widely recognized Bollywood moniker.
His car collection was another source of pride, featuring vehicles such as a Range Rover Evoque and a Mercedes-Benz SL500.
Despite his financial success, Dharmendra remained grounded, once saying: “I never asked for too much money, and fame is transient. All I ever wanted was people’s love.”
He further expressed: “I came here just for this love. Everyone loves Dharmendra and I am grateful for that.”
Akshay Kumar, an actor, paid tribute by saying: “Growing up, Dharmendra was the hero every boy wanted to be.”
“Thank you for inspiring generations. You’ll live on through your films and the love you spread.”