Veteran actor Hema Malini has arrived in Delhi to receive the prestigious posthumous Padma Vibhushan honour on behalf of her late husband and legendary Bollywood star Dharmendra. The award, India’s second-highest civilian honour, was announced earlier this year and will be formally presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
The moment is expected to be deeply emotional for the Deol family as the country officially honours one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic and beloved stars.
Speaking about the occasion, Hema Malini said the entire family feels proud and emotional. She revealed that daughter Ahana Deol accompanied her to Delhi, while Esha Deol could not attend due to other commitments. Hema also shared that Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol are aware of the ceremony and are equally happy about the recognition being given to their father.
“It’s an emotional moment for me,” Hema Malini said while speaking about the honour being bestowed upon Dharmendra for his immense contribution to Indian cinema.
Dharmendra, often called Bollywood’s “He-Man,” passed away on November 24 last year, just days before his 90th birthday. His death marked the end of an extraordinary cinematic era that spanned over six decades.
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The legendary actor had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital in late October after suffering from breathing difficulties and was discharged in November before passing away at his Mumbai residence.
Following his death, Dharmendra’s final rites were performed at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai. The Deol family later organised a prayer meeting attended by several Bollywood celebrities, friends, and admirers at Taj Lands End in Bandra. Hema Malini also hosted a separate prayer meet in Delhi in memory of the veteran actor.
When the Padma Vibhushan honour was announced earlier this year, Hema Malini had expressed immense pride on social media. She wrote that the government had recognised Dharmendra’s “immense contribution to the film industry” through one of India’s highest civilian awards.
Dharmendra’s journey in Indian cinema remains legendary. From romantic dramas and family entertainers to powerful action films, he became one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. His performances in classics like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Satyakam, and Phool Aur Patthar continue to be celebrated by generations of film lovers.
Known for his charm, emotional depth, action-hero image, and simplicity off-screen, Dharmendra remained one of Bollywood’s most respected and admired stars even in his later years.
The Padma Awards, announced every year on the eve of Republic Day, honour individuals for exceptional contributions across various fields including arts, literature, education, public service, science, medicine, and social work. The Padma Vibhushan stands as India’s second-highest civilian award after the Bharat Ratna.
For the Deol family and millions of Dharmendra fans across the country, today’s ceremony is not just an official recognition but also a tribute to a cinematic legacy that shaped generations of Indian cinema.
