Bollywood’s beloved “He-Man,” Dharmendra, has recently been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, triggering widespread concern among fans and industry insiders alike. The 89-year-old icon, who is set to turn 90 this December, reportedly complained of breathlessness before being rushed to the hospital on October 31.
Dharmendra in Observation
Soon after his arrival, hospital staff confirmed that Dharmendra was placed under close medical observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to sources, his vital signs—including heart rate and blood pressure—remained stable. Nevertheless, the news of his ICU stay led to speculation that the veteran actor had been placed on ventilator support.
Adding to the confusion, a hospital staff member told journalist Vickey Lalwani on November 1, “Dharmendra came in complaining of breathlessness. He is in the ICU and is sleeping now.” This statement intensified public anxiety, especially as the actor’s family had not issued any official confirmation at the time.
Under Expert Medical Care
Dharmendra is reportedly under the care of senior cardiologist Dr. Dev Pahlajani. While some media outlets claimed he was on a ventilator, others close to the family strongly denied these reports. On November 4, his wife and veteran actress Hema Malini was spotted at the airport, where she offered a reassuring “okay” gesture to the media, subtly indicating that her husband was doing well.
Family Responds to Rumors
Amid swirling rumors, Sunny Deol, Dharmendra’s son, stepped in to clarify the situation. He dismissed the ventilator claims as “fake news,” stating that his father had been in the hospital for a week but was not in critical condition. “If something serious had happened, the entire family would have been at the hospital,” he said, emphasizing that Dharmendra was simply under observation.
Furthermore, Dharmendra’s team released a statement explaining that the actor frequently visits the hospital for routine medical tests. They insisted there was no cause for alarm and attributed the media frenzy to someone spotting him during one of these regular check-ups.
Personal Life and Recent Health History
Despite his age, Dharmendra has remained remarkably active. Earlier this year, he underwent cataract surgery but bounced back quickly. According to Bobby Deol, his youngest son, the veteran actor continues to reside with his first wife, Prakash Kaur, at their peaceful farmhouse in Khandala, near Mumbai.
Professionally, Dharmendra shows no signs of slowing down. He is slated to appear in Sriram Raghavan’s upcoming war drama, Ikkis. The film tells the inspiring story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee, who was posthumously honored for his bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film also marks the debut of Agastya Nanda, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, in the role of Khetarpal.
In addition to Ikkis, Dharmendra was seen in the 2023 romantic drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and Shabana Azmi. More recently, in 2024, he appeared in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya alongside Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
As conflicting reports continue to circulate, fans across the country have taken to social media to express their love and prayers for the legendary actor. While the situation remains fluid, the latest updates suggest that Dharmendra is stable and recovering under expert care.
For now, the Bollywood fraternity and millions of admirers await an official statement from the family, hoping for positive news about the health of one of India’s most cherished cinematic icons.
