Mumbai~ Mega star of yesteryears Hema Malini on Monday remembered her husband and Bollywood legend Dharmendra with an emotional post on what would have been his 90th birthday. Dharmendra passed away at his Juhu residence on November 24, leaving behind an indelible legacy in Hindi cinema and a family mourning his loss.
Taking to social media, Hema Malini shared heartfelt words for her late husband, whom she married in 1980. The couple has two daughters, Esha and Ahana, while Dharmendra also had four children with his first wife, Prakash Kaur, including actors Sunny and Bobby Deol.
“Dharam ji. Happy birthday, my dear heart. More than two weeks have passed since you left me heartbroken, slowly gathering up the pieces and trying to reconstruct my life, knowing that you will always be with me in spirit,” Hema Malini wrote. She shared several photographs from their life together, captioning them as “Our happy ‘together’ moments.”
In her touching tribute, the actress reflected on the “joyful memories” of their life together, stating that they can never be erased. “Just reliving those moments brings me great solace and happiness. I thank God for our lovely years together, for our two beautiful girls who reaffirm our love for each other, and for all the beautiful, happy memories that will remain with me in my heart,” she wrote. She prayed for Dharmendra’s soul to receive peace and happiness, praising his humility, goodness of heart, and love for humanity.
Hema Malini’s tribute resonated deeply with fans, but she was not alone in remembering Dharmendra’s remarkable life and career. Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore also paid homage to the late star, reflecting on his enduring presence in Hindi cinema and his unassuming nature. Tagore, Dharmendra’s co-star in classics like Satyakam, Anupama, and Chupke Chupke, described him as having “an unaltered, steady radiance,” noting that he carried fame lightly without letting it affect his values or demeanor.
Recalling her earliest work with Dharmendra, Tagore described his gentleness and instinctive understanding of nuanced performances, praising his ability to convey emotions with restraint and authenticity. She highlighted his versatility, noting how he could shift seamlessly from the gravitas of Satyakam to the light, playful comedy of Chupke Chupke, bringing spontaneity and depth to every role.
Tagore also remembered Dharmendra’s generosity off-screen, recalling how he treated everyone—from spot boys to junior artists—with warmth and humility. “Stardom can make people larger than life, Dharmendra, paradoxically, became larger by remaining human,” she wrote. She recounted a recent phone conversation with him after her surgery in 2023, when she expressed admiration for his performance in Chupke Chupke.
Despite her regrets at missing an opportunity to act alongside him again due to health reasons, Tagore celebrated Dharmendra’s enduring legacy, saying he continues to radiate joy and authenticity in memory. “The lights dim in hundreds of small-town cinema halls. Somewhere a harmonica plays Yeh Dosti, and young men who never knew a world without him feel, for the first time, the small ache of irreversible loss,” she said.
Hema Malini and Sharmila Tagore’s tributes together paint a portrait of Dharmendra not just as a legendary actor, but as a kind, humble, and deeply human individual whose life and work left an indelible mark on Bollywood and those who knew him personally.
