Bollywood has seen many love stories, but few come close to Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s romance. After Dharmendra’s death on Monday, fans are not only remembering the superstar he was on screen but also the man who loved with rare tenderness. And of the many stories that defined their relationship, one moment from 1981 shines brightest, a quiet gesture that showed how deeply he cared for Hema.

In 1981, as the couple was preparing to welcome their first child together, Dharmendra made a gesture that reflected both his deep affection and protective instincts.

As Hema reached the final stages of her pregnancy, Dharmendra did something that very few people would have imagined. Wanting her to have complete privacy and comfort, she booked an entire nursing home – every single room in the building. This story came to light years later when Hema’s close friend Neetu Kohli shared it on ‘Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai’.

According to Neetu, even before Esha Deol’s birth, Dharmendra had quietly reserved all the 100 rooms.

“No one knew that Hema was pregnant. Dharam ji quietly booked all the rooms in the hospital to ensure that she got complete peace and privacy. This was his way of protecting his wife and their unborn child,” Neetu recalled.

Even after decades, this story continues to melt hearts. Today, when we look back at Dharmendra’s life, this small but powerful act seems even more poignant.

Dharmendra’s last rites were performed at Pawan Hans cremation ground. He is survived by his wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and six children – actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, along with Ajita and Vijeta.