Veteran Bollywood actress and politician Hema Malini has broken her silence for the first time since the passing of her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra. In an emotional interview, she described the profound grief and shock following his death on November 24 at the age of 89.
"We Thought He Would Recover This Time Too"
Hema Malini revealed that the period leading to Dharmendra's demise was "terrible" for the entire family. For over a month, the clan rallied together at the hospital, holding onto hope. "We were all there—I, Esha, Ahana, Sunny, Bobby—all together," she stated. Given his history of bouncing back from illness, the family was optimistic. "We thought iss baar bhi aa jayenge (We thought he will recover this time too)," she shared with ETimes.
She also firmly addressed rumours of a family rift that surfaced after Dharmendra's first wife, Prakash Kaur, and her children held a separate prayer meeting in Mumbai. Hema clarified that she organised a simultaneous prayer at her own home, calling it a "ghar ka personal mamla (personal family matter)."
Memories, Grief, and Moving Forward
The actress recounted how Dharmendra was coherent and even wished her on her birthday in October. Preparations for his 90th birthday on December 8 were already underway. "To see him sink was very difficult," she admitted, adding that no one should have to endure such a situation.
Hema Malini dismissed fake online videos showing her in a distraught state, asserting she is a "strong" person who keeps her emotions private. She drew strength from her past experience of losing her mother two decades ago.
Every corner of her life now evokes memories. "We have so many videos together, woh dekhke toh rona aa jata (I cry watching those)," she confessed. Simple things, like the preparation of thepla (a flatbread), remind her of his love for eating it with chutney.
A Life Shared and a Legacy Preserved
In his later years, Dharmendra spent considerable time at his farmhouse in Lonavala, which Hema described as a "mini Punjab." She shared that he would often bring ghee for her and their daughters. When she was away in her constituency, Mathura, he would stay at the farmhouse or with their daughter Ahana. "Whenever I returned, he would come back and spend time with me at my house in Mumbai," she said, painting a picture of their harmonious life with grandchildren.
To honour his legacy, son Sunny Deol plans to convert the Lonavala farmhouse into a museum. Meanwhile, Hema Malini is finding solace in work. She is resuming her duties in Mathura and her classical dance performances, believing "that is what would make Dharamji happy."
Dharmendra was married twice. His first marriage was to Prakash Kaur, with whom he had four children: Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeita. He later married Hema Malini, and the couple has two daughters, Esha and Ahana.
