The passing of legendary actor Dharmendra at 89 has not only left a void in Indian cinema but has also brought to light the complex dynamics within his family. In the days following his demise, two separate prayer meetings were held, highlighting a distinct divide between his first family and his second wife, veteran actress and politician Hema Malini.
Separate Memorials for a Shared Loss
The first prayer meeting was organized by Dharmendra's first wife, Prakash Kaur, along with their sons, actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, at a hotel in Mumbai. On the very same day, Hema Malini conducted a Gita path at her own residence. Notably, Hema Malini was not present at the memorial organized by the first family.
A few days later, Hema Malini arranged another prayer meeting in Delhi, which was attended by her political colleagues. However, Sunny and Bobby Deol were not seen at this gathering.
Shobhaa De's Insight on a Painful Exclusion
Renowned writer and columnist Shobhaa De recently addressed this sensitive situation in a conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt. She expressed that Hema Malini and her two daughters, Esha and Ahana, were completely left out by Dharmendra's first family during this period of grief.
"Must have been a particularly difficult and hard decision… To be totally left out by the first family from something that she had spent 45 years of her own life… Nourishing, cherishing, which had enriched her life," Shobhaa De remarked. She emphasized that this exclusion must have been deeply painful for Hema, who nonetheless chose to keep her sorrow private.
Choosing Dignity Over Public Spectacle
Shobhaa De pointed out that Hema Malini, a towering public figure, had the perfect opportunity to seize the media spotlight. "She could so easily have hijacked those emotional moments," Shobhaa stated, noting that the press would have eagerly followed her every expression of grief.
Instead, Hema Malini consciously avoided creating a public display. According to Shobhaa, this decision to protect her dignity and personal grief speaks volumes about her character. It was a quiet show of strength that prioritized personal integrity over public attention or one-upmanship.
Shobhaa De concluded by acknowledging the unique nature of Dharmendra's family structure, where he maintained two parallel families. She noted that neither side ever disowned the relationship, and in the face of loss, Hema Malini handled her pain in a manner that was authentic to her dignified persona.
