Hema Malini Hosts Separate Prayer for Dharmendra Amid Family Split

New Delhi: The passing of iconic Indian actor Dharmendra at the age of 89 has led to a division in mourning practices among his family members. A prayer meeting held in Mumbai by Dharmendra’s first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their sons, actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, was notably attended by many celebrities but saw the absence of Dharmendra’s second wife, Hema Malini, and their daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.

Hema Malini Organises Separate Ceremony While the Deol family gathered to commemorate the late actor, Hema Malini hosted a separate prayer ceremony at her residence. Reports indicate that a priest arrived at her home during the Deol family’s memorial. Various notable figures, including actors Mahima Chaudhry and Sunita Ahuja, attended Hema Malini's event, along with Esha Deol’s former husband, Bharat Takhtani.

Sunita Ahuja later shared insights from the gathering, confirming that Hema Malini had arranged a bhajan sandhya, a devotional song evening. "Hema ji had kept a path of Bhagavad Gita and bhajans. So, we all listened to the bhajans. I couldn’t stop crying in front of Hema ji," she communicated to Screen.

Family Divides for Memorials The main prayer meeting, entitled 'Celebration of Life', took place at a hotel in Mumbai and was organised by Prakash Kaur and her sons. None of Hema Malini’s family members were present at this event. Dharmendra, who wed Prakash Kaur in 1954, fathered four children with her: Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta. With Hema Malini, he had two daughters, Esha and Ahana.

On social media, Hema Malini expressed her profound grief in a tribute to her late husband, stating, "Dharam ji was many things to me. Loving husband, adoring father of our two girls, Esha and Ahaana, friend, philosopher, guide, poet, my ‘go to’ person in all times of need. My personal loss is indescribable and the vacuum created is something that will last through the rest of my life."

Celebrities Pay Their Respects The Deol family’s public memorial was well-attended by numerous Bollywood stars, including Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, and Madhuri Dixit, who came to pay their respects to the legendary actor. His grandsons, Karan and Rajveer Deol, along with actor Abhay Deol, were also present, highlighting the enduring legacy of Dharmendra in the film industry.

Dharmendra’s Legacy Dharmendra passed away on November 24, 2025, just weeks shy of his 90th birthday. He had recently been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai and was recuperating at home before his death. His cremation took place on November 25.

The actor, celebrated for his roles in iconic films such as 'Sholay', 'Phool Aur Patthar', and 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat', left behind a rich legacy in Indian cinema, and his contributions are remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike. As noted by fellow actor Shatrughan Sinha, who visited the Deol family, "He will live forever for the many lives he touched."

Dharmendra’s final appearance on screen is set to be in the upcoming war drama 'Ikkis', featuring Agastya Nanda.