A heart-wrenching moment at a Delhi prayer gathering for Dharmendra had Hema Malini breaking into tears as she spoke about the late actor. Joined by their daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, Hema organized a separate homage in the capital on December 11 to honor her husband.
During an emotionally charged address at the event, which took place at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in Janpath, Hema described Dharmendra’s passing as an “inconsolable shock” and spoke of his unfinished dream.
Hema Malini’s tears underscored the depth of her loss as she recalled the life they shared. Her daughters stood beside her as she addressed the gathering from the stage.
In her remarks, Hema touched on Dharmendra’s unfulfilled wish to write a book. She also reminisced about his natural talent for poetry and his aspiration to publish a collection one day.
She recounted a lesser-known side of him: his Urdu poetry. She described how, no matter the situation, he could instantly craft a verse to suit the moment, a skill she admired and encouraged him to turn into a book for his fans. He had been making serious plans, but that work remained unfinished at his passing.
Reflecting on their life together, Hema said the man who had shared on-screen romance with her became her life partner. Their love endured true trials, and they chose to marry. She described Dharmendra as a devoted husband and a steadfast pillar of support, standing by her at every turn.
The Delhi prayer gathering saw a wide array of dignitaries in attendance, including Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Kiren Rijiju, and actress Kangana Ranaut, among others. Earlier in the month, a separate Mumbai prayer service held on November 27 for Dharmendra was organized by his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Hema and her daughters did not attend that event, instead hosting a private commemoration at their home on the same day.
Dharmendra, who later became Hema Malini’s partner in life, had been previously married to Prakash Kaur. The couple welcomed four children—Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta—before Dharmendra and Hema, who share two daughters, Esha and Ahana. Dharmendra passed away at 89 on November 24, just shy of his 90th birthday on December 8. He had been discharged from Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital earlier that month and had been recuperating at home. His final film appearance will be in the war drama Ikkis, alongside Agastya Nanda.
