Shatrughan Sinha recalls Dharmendra’s kindness and comforts Hema Malini. Legendary actor passes away at 89, leaving an unforgettable legacy.

Veteran actor and lawmaker Shatrughan Sinha has talked candidly about the poignant times he spent with Hema Malini during her grief at the passing of her spouse, film icon Dharmendra. At the age of 89, the actor passed away on November 24.

Sinha shared a series of pictures of himself with Dharmendra and Hema Malini on X on Monday. As the couple worked through their sadness, he penned a poignant statement about meeting Hema and spending time with their kids, Esha and Ahana Deol.

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“We met @dreamgirlhema, our closest family friend. Meeting her during the terrible loss of our eldest brother @aapkadharam, our closest family friend, was painful. He said, “I met her two lovely daughters @Esha_Deol #AhanaDeol and offered them consoling words for their great loss.”

He continued by expressing his fond memories of Dharmendra: “Dharamji was a kind & gentle soul.” Even though he isn’t here with us now, his memories will endure forever. We send them our condolences and prayers for peace during these trying times. May God bless each and every one of them.

In addition to collaborating with Hema Malini on Hiraasat (1987) and Qaidi (1984), Sinha had previously worked with Dharmendra on movies like Blackmail (1973) and Zalzala (1988). Together, the three had an appearance in the iconic Dost in 1974.

Recalling his chat with Hema Malini, Hamad Al Reyami

Filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami, meanwhile, talked about his personal encounter with Hema Malini during the moment of sorrow. In an Instagram post, he detailed a very touching exchange where Hema related Dharmendra’s last days, a part the family wanted to keep private.

Along with a note in Arabic that he later adapted in English, he posted a picture from their meeting. Hema, he said, seemed clearly upset and talked haltingly as she recalled their final moments together. “I wish I had been at the farm on the same day I was with Dharmendra two months ago,” he cited her as saying. I would have liked to see him there.

She also considered Dharmendra’s unpublished works, remembering her efforts to persuade him: “Why don’t you publish your beautiful poems and writings?” wrote Hamad. He would respond, “Not just now. I’ll finish a few poems first. “But time didn’t spare him, and he passed away,” Hamad continued.

According to him, Hema lamented the possibility that Dharmendra would now be found through other people’s interpretations rather than his own. Strangers will now arrive. She allegedly informed him, “They will write books about him, while his own words never saw the light of day.”
Why the funeral was kept secret

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In response to the much-discussed choice to hold a private funeral for Dharmendra, Hamad said that Hema gave an explanation for her husband’s enduring wish to preserve his honor. “Dharmendra never wanted anyone to see him weak or ill in his life,” she informed him. Even his closest family members were unaware of his suffering. Additionally, the family makes the final decision once a person dies.

“But what happened was a mercy,” Hema continued. You couldn’t have tolerated seeing him like that, Hamad. Even we couldn’t stand to see him in such a harsh and agonizing state during his last days.

Hamad referred to Dharmendra as “my forever hero legendary Superstar DHARMENDRA” as he concluded his homage, recalling his unmatched charisma.
Final ceremonies and remembrance for Dharmendra

Days before turning 90, Dharmendra, who had been admitted to the hospital earlier in November, died. Several coworkers, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salim Khan, came to pay their final respects at his funeral on November 25 in Mumbai.

To honor the legendary actor, the Deol family later held a prayer ceremony called Celebration of Life, which was attended by well-known figures like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rekha, and Aishwarya Rai.