Esha's Wedding: The Mystery of Missing Dharmendra

He was there when she got engaged. But for Esha Deol's sangeet, dad Dharmendra went missing from the pictures. There were rumours he had refused to be photographed. There were also reports that it may have had something to do with the fact that he had been away in the US for two months, presumably to address health concerns.

But when Mirror decided to get to the bottom of the mystery about the matinee idol, we found a snapshot in which he does look a tad tried, but that 1000-watt smile was intact. When we managed to get in touch with the actor, he said, "I was very much there. But I avoided the cameras as far as possible. It was an evening meant for the kids. I decided to take a backseat." Hema Malini seconded him saying, "Dharam was there. But he stayed away from the cameras."

A guest who wishes to remain anonymous said, "Dharmendra was there. But he came and went very quietly. And he stayed for a short while only. He looked fine. When Esha requested for pictures with her fiance Bharat, he affectionately begged off."

What about the US trip then? Dharmendra laughed, "Whenever any known person is out of the country for a longish time, it is presumed it's for health reasons. But I was in the US to visit my daughter and my brother's daughter. They're both married and settled there. My visit was long overdue. I decided to make the trip before Esha's wedding."

And finally, to all those reports of him being unwell, he says, "I'm absolutely fit and fine. I have my fans' good wishes to make sure that I stay out of harm's way. As for these rumours about my health, it is a trend nowadays for actors to be declared unwell. I've no health issues. I can't afford them. I've a daughter's marriage coming up."

And on an emotional note, adds: "June 29 is very important for me. I've seen my other daughters married and settled down. And now it's Esha. She's very precious to me. Esha and Bharat make a very handsome couple. I want to see them happily married forever. Bharat is a very good boy."