Dharmendra passed away on November 24 last year at his Mumbai residence at the age of 89 after a brief health scare. He was cremated in Mumbai on November 25. His last film ‘Ikkis’ is still playing in theatres.
Image Source: Instagram
The curtains may have fallen on a cinema legend, but for Hema Malini, some doors are still too heavy to open. Hema Malini is not ready for this goodbye yet for Dharmendra.
It has been quite some time since Bollywood bade farewell to Dharmendra, the man fans lovingly called the “He-Man” of Hindi cinema. His final film ‘Ikkis’ is already out there for the world to see.
Advertisement
But at home, the screen remains dark. His wife, actor and MP Hema Malini, says she is not yet brave enough to press play. Some emotions, she admits, are still too raw.
Advertisement
In a recent interview with Screen, Hema spoke with honesty, pain, and quiet strength choosing healing over headlines.
When asked if she has watched Dharmendra-starrer ‘Ikkis’, Hema Malini answered softly but firmly. The answer was no.
She shared that she was in Mathura when the film was released, busy with her responsibilities. But more than work, it was her heart that stopped her. Watching Dharmendra on screen again, she said, would be too much to handle right now.
View this post on Instagram
“It will be too overwhelming,” Hema explained, adding that even her daughters feel the same. The family believes some time is needed. Maybe later, when the wounds begin to heal, she will finally watch the film.
For now, the memories are still too close, too fresh.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, ‘Ikkis’ is a tribute to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetpal, the youngest soldier to receive the Param Vir Chakra.
The film stars Agastya Nanda as Arun Khetpal, along with Simar Bhatia and Jaideep Ahlawat. Dharmendra appears in a key role making this his final on-screen performance.
After Dharmendra’s death, gossip quickly followed grief. Two separate prayer meets were held; one by Sunny Deol and another by Hema Malini. This led to whispers of a family rift.
Hema dismissed these rumours.
She said the family has always been close and cordial. According to her, people love creating stories, especially during painful times. She questioned why anyone should explain personal grief to outsiders.
“People use other’s grief to write a few articles,” she said, calling it sad.
Dharmendra passed away on November 24 last year at his Mumbai residence. He was 89. Earlier in the month, he had been discharged from Breach Candy Hospital after a health scare and was recovering at home.
His last rites were held on November 25 in Mumbai. A prayer meet organised by sons Sunny and Bobby Deol on November 27 saw many film personalities attend. Hema Malini and daughters Esha and Ahana held a separate prayer meet at their home the same day.
Advertisement
