Hema Malini Addresses Separate Memorials for Dharmendra: “This Is Our Family’s Private Matter”
Veteran actor and politician Hema Malini has spoken out for the first time about the decision to hold separate prayer meetings following the death of her husband, legendary star Dharmendra, dismissing any speculation of discord within the family.
Dharmendra, widely known as Bollywood’s He-Man, passed away in November last year, leaving behind a grieving industry and fanbase. Attention soon turned to the family’s arrangements, as sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol organized a prayer meet on November 27 at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. On the same day, Hema Malini, who did not attend that event, hosted a Gita Paath at her residence. She, along with daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, later held another memorial in Delhi on December 11.
In response to earlier comments by novelist and columnist Shobhaa De suggesting Hema Malini had been sidelined by Dharmendra’s first family, Hema clarified the situation in an interview with TOI. “Yeh humare ghar ka personal mamla hai. We talked to each other. I kept one prayer meet at my home because my group of people are different. Then, I kept one in Delhi because I am in politics, and it was important for me to keep a prayer meeting there for my friends from that field. Mathura is my constituency, and the people there are mad about him. So, I kept a prayer meeting there as well. I am happy with what I did.”
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She added that Sunny Deol is considering converting Dharmendra’s Lonavala farmhouse into a museum for admirers, noting, “I think Sunny is planning to do something on those lines. He will definitely do it. Everything is happening in a nice way. So there’s no need to worry ki yeh do alag families hai, pata nahi kya hoga. Kisiko itni fikr karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hum log ekdum achche hai.”
Hema Malini also mentioned resuming her professional commitments, stating it would have pleased Dharmendra. The family continues to navigate their loss privately amid public scrutiny.