While many celebrities naturally slow down with age, Dharmendra remained the picture of energy and vitality well into his later years. Rather than coasting on past fame or doing workouts every now and then, he followed five simple but powerful habits, and he stayed committed to them for decades.
In a recent interview with Health Shots, Dharmendra's physiotherapist, Dr Amit Kohli, said these “pillars” were central to keeping the legendary actor strong throughout his 80s, right up until the final chapter of his life.
1. Moving every single day
One of the most essential habits was persistence of movement. According to Dr Kohli, Dharmendra never let inertia set in. Be it gentle stretching, swimming, or light exercise, Dharmendra made it a point to move every single day. He remained active even on low-energy days.
2. Simple, home-style meals
A desi at heart, Dharmendra preferred fresh, wholesome, homemade food over fancy diets. His simple diet was the result of his lifelong love for farming, which not only fueled him but also played a big role in maintaining his overall health.
3. Age-appropriate physical activity
As the body was aging, Dharmendra did what felt right for his routine. Opting out of the hard-core gym workout sessions, the actor moved to methods that worked in harmony with his body: gentle strength training, mobility exercises, and physiotherapy. This helped preserve muscle strength, joint mobility, balance, and overall agility without overstraining himself.
4. Consistency over intensity
The secret wasn’t aggressive training or strict diets, but sustainability. What counted, stresses Dr Kohli, was a constant, maintainable groove rather than fits and starts of extreme effort. That constant rhythm, sustained over decades, yielded better long-term results than temporary, short-lived intensity ever would.
5. A joyful, “Zinda-Dil” mindset
Dharmendra’s attitude was also one of the main reasons that kept him strong through the course of his life. Even as an 89-year old, he carried a childlike spirit. His positive energy and gusto for life always kept him young at heart. Even on difficult days, Dharmendra would not give up and say, “Chalo, thoda karte hain… haar nahi maanni.”
Dharmendra passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89 due to age-related health complications. Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis will be the last time he will be seen on the big screen. The film will be released on December 25 this year.
