MUMBAI, Nov 24 (AFP): India's hugely popular star Dharmendra was lovingly known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, thanks to his roles in a string of action movies that cemented his legacy spanning more than six decades and 250 films.
Born Dharam Singh Deol on December 8, 1935 in Punjab, he also served as a member of parliament and was honoured with one of India's highest civilian awards.
He struck stardom after becoming the first Bollywood actor to bare his chest on screen, prompting a flood of love letters from female fans.
Dharmendra, who died on Monday aged 89, moved to Mumbai in 1958 after winning a celebrity magazine's talent competition.
"I only had my dreams," he told biographer Rajiv Vijayakar. "I was an untutored villager, with no idea of acting."
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