Go ahead, collect it: Hema Malini felt Dharmendra was following her at Padma event
Hema Malini said she felt Dharmendra’s presence while receiving the Padma Vibhushan from President Draupadi Murmu earlier this year. He also said that his final message to the family is to stay united and put the family first.
Actress and BJP MP Hema Malini has recalled the moment she visited President Draupadi Murmu to receive the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, actor Dharmendra, earlier this year. Hema, 77, said she felt as if Dharmendra was walking behind her and urging her to step forward and accept the honour.
Dharmendra was awarded posthumously The President speaking at Rashtrapati Bhavan in June 2026 HT CityHema described it as an emotional and exciting moment and said that the appreciation of her seven decades of work made the occasion especially significant for her.
❮❯
Recalling the ceremony, Hema said, “It was an emotional, yet exciting moment for me. Seven decades of her work was recognised. I was able to go on the stage and receive it, it was the biggest moment. When I was going towards Rashtrapatiji to take it, I could feel him behind me, he asked me to go ahead and said ‘Go ahead to take it.’
He also told about Dharmendra’s wish that the family always remain united. Remembering him after his demise, Hema said, “He would often say, ‘I love my family’ and always asked us to stay together. He wanted us all to stay close.” He said he loved all his children and grandchildren, whether his or her own, and added that he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment. Hema also said that he achieved what most people only dream of and became exactly who he wanted to be from the beginning.
In another conversation with Hindi Rush, Hema said that the family has remained close despite public rumors of a rift after Dharmendra’s death. Recalling his advice, she said, “Dharam ji always told us to spend as much time as possible with the children. Be close to the children, be close to the family. He stressed how important it is to stay united, especially today when families are often separated. Now children usually go their separate ways.”
When asked about Dharmendra’s last message Hema told the family, “It’s exactly what he said, ‘Be with the family. Be together with all of them. Work can keep getting done but the family should be given the utmost importance.’
Speaking about Dharmendra’s sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, Hema called them “wonderful boys” and said that the family shares a strong bond away from the public attention. He said, “They are very sweet. Sunny is very nice. Bobby is very nice. We all are always together. We don’t do any publicity but internally we are all good. We are all united. We are a very happy family.”
Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 and has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He later married Hema Malini in 1980 and had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The actor died on November 24, 2025 in Mumbai at the age of 89. He died at his residence after a long illness and age-related health problems, a few weeks before his 90th birthday.