Bollywood woke up to a wave of sadness as megastar Amitabh Bachchan penned an emotional farewell to his dear friend and legendary co-star Dharmendra. The two icons shared a bond that began on film sets and grew stronger over nearly five decades of friendship.
Amitabh took to his official X handle to share what was clearly a deeply painful moment for him. In a heartfelt note, he described Dharmendra as a “valiant giant” whose departure has left a silence that feels heavy and impossible to fill.
He wrote that Dharmendra carried with him the “earthiness” of the Punjab village he came from and never let success change his core.
T 5575 –
… another valiant Giant has left us .. left the arena .. leaving behind a silence with an unbearable sound ..Dharam ji ..
.. the epitome of greatness, ever linked not only for his renowned physical presence, but for the largeness of his heart , and its…
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) November 24, 2025
According to Amitabh, Dharam ji remained grounded, kind, and warm-hearted, even as the film industry around him transformed through different eras. He remembered him not only as a towering personality on screen but also as someone with an even larger heart.
Also Read: Dharmendra passes away at 89, cremated: Six decades, 300 films, and a legacy that shaped Bollywood
Amitabh’s tribute went on to say that Dharmendra’s charm was not limited to the camera. Everyone who came close to him felt his genuine warmth, something that Amitabh described as rare in showbiz. “The air around us now feels empty,” he shared.
On Monday, as news of Dharmendra’s passing spread, the film fraternity rushed to pay their respects. Amitabh Bachchan was among the first to arrive at the Pawan Hans Crematorium, where the last rites took place. He was joined by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and several other stars.
Dharmendra had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital earlier this month after complaining of breathlessness. Though he was discharged on November 12 and continued recovering at home, he passed away on November 24.
For Amitabh, the loss is personal. The two created magic together in films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘The Burning Train’, ‘Ram Balram’, ‘Naseeb’, and several others.