Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini has strongly condemned television channels for circulating baseless reports about the death of her husband, legendary actor Dharmendra, calling the act “unforgivable” and “extremely disrespectful.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Dream Girl wrote: “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”
Her daughter, actress Esha Deol, echoed the outrage on Instagram, directly addressing the media frenzy. “THE MEDIA SEEMS TO BE IN OVERDRIVE AND SPREADING FALSE NEWS. MY FATHER IS STABLE & RECOVERING. WE REQUEST EVERYONE TO GIVE OUR FAMILY PRIVACY. THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS FOR PAPAS SPEEDY RECOVERY. ESHA DEOL,” she posted in all caps, underscoring the family’s frustration.
The statements came after several news outlets prematurely announced Dharmendra’s demise, triggering widespread panic among fans despite the 88-year-old star being under medical care and showing signs of improvement. Both Hema Malini and Esha Deol urged the public and media to respect the family’s privacy during this sensitive time and refrain from amplifying unverified information.
The Deol family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and well-wishes, while making it clear that Dharmendra remains stable and on the path to recovery. The incident highlights the growing concern over irresponsible reporting in the race for breaking news, especially when it involves senior celebrities and their health updates.