MUMBAI – In her first deeply personal interview following the passing of legendary actor Dharmendra in November 2025, Hema Malini has opened up about her profound grief, her final days with the “He-Man” of Indian cinema, and the persistent rumors of a family rift with the Deols. Speaking nearly a month and a half after the veteran actor’s death, the actor-Parliamentarian offered a rare glimpse into a partnership that spanned nearly six decades, asserting that her bond with Dharmendra remains untouched by the public’s appetite for gossip.
A Legacy of Togetherness
“After 57 years of togetherness, I can’t imagine my life without Dharmendra,” Hema Malini shared, reflecting on a journey that began long before their 1980 marriage. Despite the unconventional nature of their domestic arrangement—where both maintained separate households—Hema emphasized that their connection was constant.
She recalled how Dharmendra remained deeply involved in her life and the lives of their daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol, until the very end. Even when he was at his farmhouse in Lonavala, the veteran actor would make it a point to call her during her travels and return to Mumbai just to spend time with the family. “I miss him every minute,” she admitted. “I feel sad without him. When will I meet him again?”
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The Final Days and Sudden Loss
Dharmendra, who passed away at the age of 89, had been in and out of the hospital in his final months. However, Hema revealed that his family remained optimistic until the end. After a brief hospital stay, he had returned home, leading Hema to believe he had “one or two more years” left.
“He was back home during the last few days… I felt he would be around,” she said. While she refrained from blaming medical treatment, she noted that things took an unexpected turn during his final recovery phase. Describing him as a “sweet person” who had achieved everything he desired, she expressed immense pride in the universal love he received from fans across generations.
The grief remains raw for the “Dream Girl.” She confessed she has not yet been able to watch Dharmendra’s final film, Ekkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan. “I can’t see it now; it will be too overwhelming. Maybe I will watch it later when the wounds start healing,” she said.
Dismissing the ‘Rift’ Rumors
The interview also served as a firm rebuttal to ongoing speculation regarding a discord between Hema’s family and Dharmendra’s first family, including his wife Prakash Kaur and sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. Rumors of a “rift” intensified after the two families organized separate prayer meetings in Delhi and Mumbai following the actor’s demise.
Hema Malini dismissed these claims as baseless products of a “gossip-hungry” public. “It has always been very nice and cordial. Even today it is very nice,” she clarified. She explained that the decision to hold separate prayer meets was a personal family matter and not a sign of division.
“Why should I give an explanation? It’s our personal life. We are absolutely happy and very close to each other,” she stated, adding that it was “sad” that people used a family’s grief to fuel sensationalist articles.
Future Tributes: The Dharmendra Museum
Looking ahead, Hema confirmed that the family is united in preserving Dharmendra’s massive cinematic legacy. She revealed that Sunny Deol is currently planning a museum dedicated to his father’s life and career. “He will do it. We will consult and do it. Whatever he does, he tells me,” she said, further cementing the image of a family that, despite public perception, remains in constant communication.
As Hema Malini navigates this new chapter of her life in Mathura and Mumbai, she remains focused on her work as a Lok Sabha MP while healing from the loss of the man she called her companion for over half a century. Though the “He-Man” is gone, his “Dream Girl” ensures that his memory—and the family he built—remains intact.
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