Mumbai — The film industry came together in a poignant display of affection and respect as Bollywood’s biggest names attended a memorial service for the late Dharmendra on Thursday, celebrating the life of a man who defined an era of Indian cinema.
The iconic actor, fondly remembered as the “He-Man” of Hindi films, died Monday at age 89, leaving behind a legacy spanning over six decades and more than 300 films.
The Deol family hosted the memorial, aptly named ‘Celebration of Life’, at the picturesque grounds of Hotel Taj Lands End in Bandra. The event brought together Dharmendra’s sons Sunny and Bobby Deol, daughters Ajeeta and Vijeta, grandsons Karan and Rajveer Deol, and nephew Abhay Deol from his marriage to first wife Prakash Kaur.
Notably absent were Hema Malini, his second wife, and their daughters Esha and Ahaana Deol.
The three-hour ceremony, running from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, drew an impressive gathering of film luminaries. Salman Khan, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karan Johar, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Vidya Balan, and Shabana Azmi were among the many who paid their final respects. Others in attendance included Jackie Shroff, Sidharth Malhotra, Suniel Shetty, Ameesha Patel, Fardeen Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Sonu Sood, composer Anu Malik, and directors Subhash Ghai, Abbas-Mastan, and Anil Sharma.
The venue transformed into a moving tribute, with elaborate floral displays complementing over six LED screens showcasing highlights from Dharmendra’s remarkable filmography—from “Sholay” and “Mera Gaon Mera Desh” to “Batwara” and “Apne”. The screens also displayed personal photographs from the actor’s social media accounts, offering intimate glimpses into his life.
An emotional centerpiece featured a large portrait of Dharmendra beneath a message reading “We’ll Miss You”. Renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam delivered heartfelt renditions of the actor’s most beloved songs, including “Main Kahi Kavi Na Ban Jau”, “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas”, “Apne Toh Apne Hote Hai”, “Ro Lene De”, and the timeless “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge”.
Sunny and Bobby Deol stood visibly moved throughout the ceremony, their grief evident as they honored their father’s memory. Security personnel maintained a respectful perimeter around the venue, managing the steady stream of mourners.
Born Dharam Singh Deol in Punjab in 1935, the screen legend captivated audiences with his rare versatility across action, romance, and comedy. His filmography reads like a greatest-hits collection of Indian cinema: “Chupke Chupke”, “Satyakam”, “Anupama”, “Seeta Aur Geeta”, and countless others that continue to resonate with viewers today.
