Hema Malini gets emotional remembering Dharmendra at prayer meet: 'Hum dono ko ek hit pair ke roop mein....'

Hema Malini’s voice turned heavy as she remembered Dharmendra at a prayer meet in New Delhi, weeks after his passing on November 24. Joined by daughters Esha and Ahana Deol, she spoke about the man she knew for nearly six decades, a bond that blended personal memories with the professional legacy of one of Hindi cinema’s most loved actors.

Addressing the gathering, Hema said, “He was cheerful and affectionate; even while standing at the peak of fame, he never considered himself different from others, he always remained grounded. He spoke to people of every background with immense love, affection, and respect. Such a person was Dharam ji."

Her words traced back to their early years in the industry. “Dharmendra ji se mera association 57 saal ka hai. Jab main film industry mein aayi tab se mujhe unke saath zyada tar filmein karne ka avasar mila. Nearly 45 films—we worked together. Hum dono ko ek hit pair ke roop mein industry bhi pyaar karti thi aur janta ne bhi humein khoob pyaar diya.”

Hema also highlighted his range. “In his career, Dharmendra ji acted in more than 300 films… romantic, action hero, serious roles. But he used to love comedy the most. He was very passionate about films; he loved to be in front of the camera.”

As she remembered how he would have turned 90 on December 8, she reflected on the public’s affection for him. “We celebrated his birthday, and the entire nation celebrated it as well. People were deeply emotional… It is rare for anyone to receive as much respect and admiration as Dharam ji has received.”

She closed her tribute with a simple sentiment: “His life is a celebration. He has influenced so many people in the world and inspired countless others. The entire industry is mad about him.”

Dharmendra’s Mumbai prayer meet, hosted earlier by Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, also saw strong industry presence. His final on screen appearance will be in Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, scheduled for theatrical release on December 25, 2025, with Agastya Nanda and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles.