If veteran star Dharmendra were alive today, he would have been celebrating his 90th birthday today—a milestone his family had been eagerly looking forward to after he was discharged from the hospital just a couple of weeks earlier. But fate dealt a heartbreaking blow. On 24 November, the legendary actor passed away and was quietly cremated at Pawan Hans in Mumbai. Two days later, his family, including his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, hosted a prayer meet to honour his extraordinary life and legacy.
Now, actor Salman Khan, who shared a deep and affectionate bond with Dharmendra, has openly expressed his grief. During the grand finale of Bigg Boss 19, which he hosted on Sunday, Salman broke down on national television while remembering the star. “Dharam ji died on my father’s birthday,” he said, his voice trembling. Several clips of a teary-eyed Salman have since emerged online, resonating with fans who know how close the two were.
Very Touching Salman Bhai 💔
Salman Khan Said : My Dharm Ji Passed Away On 24th Nov, Which Is Also My Father’s Birthday Date & Now On 8th Dec It’s Dharmji’s Birthday & Which Is Also My Mother’s Birthday 💔
Sunny Deol & Family Conducted The Last Rites Of #Dharmendra Ji With… pic.twitter.com/1pw0KwRuvH
— Bollywood Legacy Channel (@LegacyChannel_) December 7, 2025
During the episode, Salman said, “We lost the He-Man. We lost the most amazing man. I don’t think there is anyone better than Dharmji. The way he lived life was king-size. He gave us Sunny, Bobby, and Esha. Since the day he joined the industry, he only wanted to work. He did so many roles. My career graph—I have only followed Dharmji. He came with an innocent face and a He-Man’s body. That charm stayed with him till the end. Love you, Dharmji. Will always miss you.”
He added, “The main thing is he died on 24 November, that’s my father’s birthday, and tomorrow is his birthday as well as my mum’s. If I’m feeling like this, imagine what Sunny and his family must be going through. Their prayer meet was held with such grace and honour. Everyone was crying, but there was decorum—a celebration of life. Hats off to Bobby and Sunny. Every funeral and prayer meeting should be conducted this beautifully.”
Dharmendra’s second wife, Hema Malini, later shared that the actor always wished to maintain dignity and never wanted to be seen as weak, which is why his funeral was kept private. Despite the intimate nature of the ceremony, it was attended by several prominent industry figures, including his Sholay co-star Amitabh Bachchan, as well as Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and others—each coming to bid farewell to an icon whose charm, warmth, and legacy will remain unmatched.
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