The Actor Who Became a Farmer: Dharmendra’s Rural Life Near Lonavala

Lonavala, 25th November 2025: Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, fondly known across India as the ‘He-Man’ of Hindi cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. While tributes poured in from the film industry and fans nationwide, one small village in Maval taluka of Pune District in Maharashtra—Aundhe near Lonavala—is grieving the loss of a man they considered family.

For the people of Aundhe, Dharmendra was not just a superstar. He was a farmer, a mentor, and a benefactor whose bond with the village stretched nearly four decades.

A 100-Acre Farmhouse That Linked a Superstar to a Village
Dharmendra’s association with Aundhe began in 1985, when he purchased 100 acres of agricultural land in the village on June 12 that year. Since then, Aundhe—located five kilometres from Lonavala market and close to the highway—became widely known in Maval because of the actor’s presence, social activist Vijay Jagtap said.

The actor developed a massive farmhouse on the land, which soon became a hub of agricultural activity and village welfare.

‘His Heart Was Connected to Aundhe’: Long-Time Gardener Remembers
Raju Waghmare, who worked as a gardener at Dharmendra’s farmhouse for 18 years, recalled the actor’s warmth, simplicity, and generosity.
“Dharmendra’s personality was kind. He helped with village festivals, contributed the most to Shiv Jayanti and Ambedkar Jayanti, and supported anyone who approached him. He never hurt anyone,” Waghmare said.

Out of the 100 acres, crops such as fruits, cabbage, tomatoes and eggplants were cultivated on about 65 acres. “He shared the income from the produce with the employees. He kept ducks, buffaloes and Jersey cows, and he would give milk to every worker. Even ghee was distributed,” he added.

Helped Build Roads, Resolved Local Disputes
Before Dharmendra’s arrival, the road to Aundhe was unpaved. Waghmare recalled that the actor personally requested the then Pune District Collector to build a proper road for the village—and the request was fulfilled.

“He always wanted harmony in the village. If there was a fight, he would call both sides to sit together and resolve the issue. His umbilical cord was connected to this village,” Waghmare said.

Lived in Aundhe for 20 Years; Left After Ganeshotsav
Dharmendra stayed at the farmhouse for nearly 20 years and moved there permanently in 2004. He practised organic farming and loved sharing vegetables and milk with villagers. “He would joke that if he made even one film, he’d earn more than a crore, so we should share the farm income among ourselves,” Waghmare said.

The actor stayed in the village until Ganeshotsav this year. He returned to Mumbai due to deteriorating health and never came back. “On Monday, we heard about his death. It is an irreparable loss for Aundhe. I have countless memories with him,” Waghmare said.