Six weeks after the passing of Bollywood legend Dharamendra, his wife of 57 years, Hema Malini, has broken her silence in a deeply moving and intimate interview. Known for her grace both on and off screen, the veteran actress and former Rajya Sabha MP opened up about life without her “Dharma,” the man she calls her “rock,” and addressed persistent rumors about her relationship with stepsons Sunny and Bobby Deol.
“I miss him every minute,” Hema said, her voice steady but eyes glistening. “People ask how I’m coping. The truth is, I can’t imagine life without him. But I have to—for my daughters, for his sons, for all the love we built together.”
Her words offer a rare glimpse into the private grief of one of India’s most iconic couples—a union that defied convention, scandal, and time itself.
Table of Contents
- The End of an Era: Dharamendra’s Final Days
- Hema Malini on Dharamendra Death: A Love That Defined Decades
- Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Sunny and Bobby Deol
- Life After Loss: How Hema Is Coping
- Dharamendra’s Legacy in Bollywood and Beyond
- Summary
- Sources
The End of an Era: Dharamendra’s Final Days
Dharamendra, 88, passed away on November 30, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Though never officially disclosed, sources close to the family confirmed he had been battling age-related health complications for over a year.
Hema revealed that in his last weeks, Dharamendra remained lucid and affectionate. “He’d hold my hand and say, ‘Don’t worry, Hemu. I’ve lived a full life.’ He was at peace,” she shared. The couple spent quiet evenings watching old films—often their own—and reminiscing about their early days in Mumbai’s struggling film industry.
His funeral in Mumbai was attended by hundreds of fans and nearly the entire Bollywood fraternity, a testament to his towering legacy as the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema.
Hema Malini on Dharamendra Death: A Love That Defined Decades
Their love story remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about sagas. When Dharamendra left his first wife, Prakash Kaur, to marry Hema in 1974, it caused a national uproar. Yet the couple weathered the storm with dignity, building a life rooted in mutual respect and shared passions—especially horses, poetry, and family.
“Our bond wasn’t just romantic—it was spiritual,” Hema reflected. “For 57 years, through highs and lows, he never made me feel like a second choice. He gave me strength, freedom, and unwavering support.”
She emphasized that Dharamendra was equally devoted to his children from both marriages. “He never differentiated between Esha, Ahana, Sunny, or Bobby. They were all his pride.”
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Sunny and Bobby Deol
Rumors have long swirled about tension between Hema and Dharamendra’s sons from his first marriage, particularly during the peak of her stardom in the 1970s and 80s. But Hema firmly dismissed those narratives.
“Sunny and Bobby are wonderful human beings,” she said warmly. “They’ve been incredibly supportive since Dharma left us. We speak almost daily. They call me ‘Maa,’ and I call them my sons.”
She recalled how Sunny flew in from London within hours of Dharamendra’s passing and how Bobby stayed by her side during the cremation. “There was no distance—only love and shared sorrow.”
This reconciliation—or rather, confirmation of harmony—puts to rest decades of tabloid speculation fueled by the complexities of blended families in the public eye.
Life After Loss: How Hema Is Coping
Hema admitted that returning to routine has been difficult. “The house feels too quiet. I still set two cups of tea every morning out of habit.”
Yet she’s drawing strength from her daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, both of whom have taken extended leave from work to stay with her. She’s also resumed light equestrian activities—her lifelong passion—at her farmhouse in Lonavala.
“Grief doesn’t vanish,” she said. “But you learn to carry it. And I carry Dharma with me—in every memory, every photograph, every sunset we used to watch together.”
Dharamendra’s Legacy in Bollywood and Beyond
With over 200 films spanning six decades, Dharamendra wasn’t just a star—he was an institution. From Sholay to Satyakam, he balanced mass appeal with artistic depth, earning respect across generations.
Beyond cinema, he served as a Member of Parliament and championed Punjabi culture and rural development. His humility—despite fame—was legendary. “He’d stop his car to help a stranded farmer,” Hema recalled with a smile. “That was the real Dharma.”
For fans wanting to explore his cinematic journey, the National Film Archive of India offers curated retrospectives at nfacindia.gov.in.
And for more on Bollywood’s golden couples, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:iconic-bollywood-love-stories].
Summary
In her heartfelt first interview since Dharamendra’s passing, Hema Malini on Dharamendra death reveals a portrait of enduring love, familial unity, and quiet resilience. Far from the rumors of discord, her bond with Sunny and Bobby Deol stands strong—a testament to the values Dharamendra instilled in his family. As she navigates life without her beloved partner, Hema Malini reminds us that true legacy isn’t measured in awards, but in the love that outlives even death.
Sources
- Times of India, “Hema Malini breaks silence on Dharamendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol”: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/hema-malini-breaks-silence-addresses-relationship-with-sunny-and-bobby-deol-i-cant-imagine-life-without-dharamendra/articleshow/126485320.cms
- National Film Archive of India: https://www.nfacindia.gov.in
- Parliament of India – Former MPs Database: https://loksabha.nic.in