Mumbai - Bollywood woke up to an eerie silence this morning as the fraternity bid its final, heartbreaking farewell to one of the greatest pillars it ever had-the iconic Dharmendra. The original 'He Man' has left for his heavenly abode at 89, giving in with great dignity to his tranquil sleep in his Juhu home, his smile soft, yet commanding respect. His demise indeed closes a golden chapter in Hindi cinema, leaving behind a legacy that he built with raw talent and undeniable charm. Fans from across generations mourn the loss of the actor who felt more like an elder in the family as they had grown up watching his various performances.

The nation remembers the star whose smile could light up the screen. From being a romantic hero in films like Bandini to cementing his title as an action star, his career was the stuff of legend. He had that rare ability to seamlessly switch from the fierce heroism of Sholay to the comic brilliance of Chupke Chupke. He was much more than a star; he was an emotion-a symbol of the common man who achieved success with just hard work. The vastness of his filmography speaks volumes about his remarkable range, which sustains his work on-to-date and is an ongoing inspiration for budding artists. The timeless moments he gave us, we shall never forget.

The actor was cremated in a quiet, intensely personal ceremony at the Pawan Hans crematorium in the presence of his immediate family. Sons Sunny and Bobby Deol were present, among other close relatives, to perform the final rites-a private goodbye to a loving patriarch. A sobering moment, far removed from the glittering arc lights of the cinema world he lorded over for so long. Though the physical presence of Bollywood's favourite son is gone, the echo of that uniquely rendered laugh and the memory of those unforgettable roles most certainly will live on. He is an eternal icon.