Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on Monday morning in Mumbai at the age of 89, police sources at the cremation ground confirmed to The Indian Express. The veteran actor, who had worked in over 300 films over his storied career, had been ailing for a month. His last rites were conducted at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai’s Vile Parle. His family chose to give the actor a quiet, private farewell with only his close friends present during the last rites. Dharmendra would have turned 90 on December 8 this year.
Among his Bollywood colleagues who paid tribute to him included Sholay co-star Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh and wife Deepika Padukone, Govinda and Sunjay Dutt. Hundreds of fans assembled outside the crematorium as the news of Dharmendra’s death spread. Police had to eventually close the doors of the crematorium. People could be seen sobbing outside, holding the photos of the actor.
Dharmendra was hospitalised in October for a health check-up after complaining of breathlessness. His team had shared that he was doing well and had chosen to extend his stay at the hospital so that he could undergo proper medical screening. Earlier this year, he underwent an eye graft surgery (corneal transplantation).
An outsider who came from a village in Punjab and made Hindi cinema his own, acting in over 300 films which included both mainstream blockbusters and underrated gems, Dharmendra was among those few actors whose stardom was not impacted by the rise of Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. As he often said, he received few awards in his career but the massive love of his fans more than made up for it. He balanced Sholay — arguably the most iconic Hindi film over decades — with a Satyakam; audience will always remember his comic turn in Chupke Chupke. His career spanned decades and generations.
Dharmendra’s story is the stuff dreams, and films, are made of. Born Dharmendra Deol, he was born to a school teacher in the Sahnewal village of Ludhiana district, Punjab in 1935. His film ambitions took off after he won a national talent contest organised by a film magazine. He made his debut in Hindi films in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. The film went unnoticed and it was only next year that he delivered his first success, Shola Aur Shabnam. He followed it up with Mohan Kumar’s Anpadh (1962), and Bimal Roy’s Bandini (1963), which won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Dharmendra came to be known as the charming, handsome man who could deliver captivating performances on screen. Phool Aur Patthar marked his first action role, and it was his action-hero image that eventually gave him the title of the ‘He-Man of Bollywood’.
The 1970s saw him in some of his most popular roles like Jeevan Mrityu, Tum Haseen Mai Jawan, Guddi, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Black Mail, Pratigya, Chupke Chupke, Sholay, Dream Girl, Dharam Veer, Seeta Aur Geeta, Dream Girl, The Burning Train among others. His role of Veeru in Sholay became his most famous.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.
He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.
“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.
“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.
He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.
Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.
The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.
In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.
Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.
She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.
The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.
Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.