The passing of Hindi cinema's beloved icon, Dharmendra, on November 24, 2025, was followed by separate prayer meetings held by different branches of his family, sparking widespread speculation of a rift. The veteran actor, who was 89, breathed his last at his Juhu residence after being under home treatment.
Separate Tributes Spark Speculation
Initially, a prayer meeting was organized in Mumbai by Dharmendra's first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their four children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeita Deol, and Vijeta Deol. Notably absent from this gathering were the actor's second wife, veteran actress Hema Malini, and their daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Subsequently, Hema Malini and her daughters hosted their own series of prayer meetings for the late legend in Mumbai, Delhi, and Mathura. This sequence of events led to intense media speculation about discord within the family.
Hema Malini's Candid Clarification
In an exclusive interview, Hema Malini has now firmly addressed and dismissed all rumours of a family split. "Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai (This is our family and personal matter)," she stated, emphasizing the private nature of the arrangements.
She elaborated on the rationale behind the multiple prayer meets. "We talked to each other," she revealed, indicating family coordination. "I kept one prayer meet at my home because my group of people are different. Then, I kept one in Delhi because I am in politics, and it was important for me to keep a prayer meeting there for my friends from that field."
Regarding the Mathura event, the actress-politician, who represents the constituency, added, "Mathura is my constituency, and the people there are mad about him. So, I kept a prayer meeting there as well. I am happy with what I did." Her statements aimed to reframe the separate events as logistical and social necessities rather than signs of estrangement.
A Final Farewell to a Legend
Dharmendra's funeral in Mumbai saw an outpouring of grief from the film fraternity. Prominent stars who attended to pay their last respects included:
- Salman Khan
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Sanjay Dutt
- Ranveer Singh
- Govinda
The actor, who would have turned 90 on December 8, 2025, leaves behind a rich cinematic legacy. His final screen appearance is in the film 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Agastya Nanda. The film was released in theaters on January 1, 2026.
While the family navigates their personal loss in the public eye, Hema Malini's clarification seeks to put rumours to rest, focusing attention back on the memory and monumental career of the late screen legend, Dharmendra.
