Veteran film actor and producer Dheeraj Kumar died at the age of 79 after a long illness. He died on July 15, 2025, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he was admitted because of a serious case of pneumonia. Sources confirmed that he was put on ventilator support in the ICU as his health deteriorated over the last few days. His family has validated the sad news and asked for privacy in this distressing period, but thanked fans, friends, and industry professionals alike for the sea of condolences and sympathy extended to them.
Dheeraj Kumar was a name to be envied in both Indian TV and film. His career started in 1965 after he was a finalist at a high-profile talent search along with future legends such as Rajesh Khanna and Subhash Ghai. He was a regular sight on the screen, starring in popular films like Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Swami, Heera Panna, Sargam, and numerous others. He also made a contribution to Punjabi cinema, starring in 21 Punjabi films between 1970 and 1984, leaving a lasting legacy in regional film-making history.
Yet, it was his stint as producer and director that left a far greater mark on the Indian television scene. Dheeraj Kumar was the brainchild behind Creative Eye Limited, a production company that became the face of mythological and devotional programming on Indian television. During his stewardship, Creative Eye produced classics like Om Namah Shivay, Shree Ganesh, Jai Santoshi Maa, and Jap Tap Vrat, to name a few. His work redefined the way Indian audiences received spiritual stories on television to the point of making them a part of domestic culture. In later years, he created hit shows like Ishq Subhan Allah, continuing to demonstrate his vision and versatility.
Dheeraj Kumar had recently appeared in public at the opening of an ISKCON temple in Navi Mumbai, illustrating the spiritual leanings he had pursued throughout his life. He leaves behind his wife, Zuby Kochar, and his son, Ashutosh Kumar. His death is not only a family loss but is also the end of an era for India’s entertainment world. Dheeraj Kumar will be long remembered not just for his unforgettable acting performances but also for his visionary efforts as a producer in bringing meaningful and devotional stories to the millions of Indian homes.
