DharmendraHis death on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89, did not end an era, it reopened the pages of one of Hindi cinema’s most enduring romances. As tributes from fans and stars poured in, the spotlight turned to her love story Hema Malinia story of sacrifice and stars that captivated generations.
Hema Malini love at first sight with Dharmendra
In an old interview with ITMB Shows, Hema got candid about the spark that confirmed Dharmendra as her soul mate, she openly explained. In response to his defying convention to marry her, “Love means you can’t see right, left. You’re just in love with someone and you move on. It’s love at first sight, that’s it.”
Dharmendra’s family life before Hema Malini
Dharmendra’s personal life was not easy. At the age of 19, in 1954, she entered into an arranged marriage with Prakash Kaur, steeped in Punjabi traditions long before she rose to fame. The couple had four children: Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vijeta Deol and Ajeita Deol. In 1970, he met Hema Malini on a film set, and they fell deeply in love, even though he was married with four children. Their bond blossomed amid Bollywood classics like ‘Sholay’. In 1980, Dharmendra converted to Islam to marry Hema, using Muslim personal law that allowed second marriages without divorce. Later they had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
Prakash Kaur on preferring Hema Malini
Throughout the saga, Prakash Kaur stood tall and proud. In a 1981 Stardust interview, she declared, “Why would my husband, any man, prefer Hema to me. How dare anyone call my husband a womanizer when half the industry is doing the same?”.
Hema Malini and family’s prayers gather post-Dharmendra
After Dharmendra’s death, his family’s layered story returned to the headlines for the last time. Prakash Kaur met her sons Sunny and Bobby for a prayer meeting at a hotel in Mumbai, while Hema Malini held a separate prayer meeting for Dharmendra with her daughters Esha and Ahana at their home. In Delhi, he organized another prayer meeting for locals who deeply admired him as the BJP MLA from Mathura.
