When Hindi cinema lost one of its brightest stars Dharmendra He passed away last November, but the legendary actor got a fitting posthumous tribute on May 25, 2026 as a veteran actor and BJP MP. Hema Malini He accepted the prestigious Padma Vibhushan award in his name. The emotional event thrilled the entire Deol family, including their daughter Esha Deol pouring his heart out in a touching social media tribute that resonated with fans across the country.
Esha Deol’s heartfelt tribute to Dharmendra
Sharing glimpses of the ceremony on social media, Esha Deol wrote: “A moment of pride. A moment of emotion. How we wished you were there today in a crisp white shirt and blue suit looking as handsome as ever, with the excitement of a young boy about to receive a prestigious award. Yesterday my mother represented our family and represented Ahan the youngest of all. our children and shed tears and applauded for our father. The man we love, the one we cherish, the one we miss; we are proud to call him our father. Forever in our hearts.”
Hema Malini received the award from the President Draupadi Murmu
At the formal ceremony, Hema Malini received the honor of Dr. Draupadi Murmu President, representing her late husband in front of the nation. Dressed in a soft pink saree with elegant diamond jewellery, the actress looked emotional as she held the award close to her heart.Dharmendra’s youngest child Ahana Deol was also present at the event, representing the actor’s six children. According to Esha, Ahana broke down while praising her father’s extraordinary legacy and contribution to Indian cinema.
Remembering Dharmendra
Widely acclaimed as one of Bollywood’s most beloved superstars, Dharmendra delivered iconic performances across a career spanning six decades. Films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Satyakam’ and ‘Phool Aur Patthar’ established him as a true giant of Indian cinema. His death last November from lingering age-related health complications left the industry and millions of enthusiastic fans in awe. His last film was ‘Ikkis’ which released on January 1, 2026.
