Go ahead, collect it: Hema Malini felt Dharmendra walking behind her at Padma event
Hema Malini said she felt Dharmendra's presence as she received his Padma Vibhushan from President Droupadi Murmu earlier this year. She also said his final message to the family was to stay united and put family first.
Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini has recalled the moment she went up to President Droupadi Murmu to receive the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, actor Dharmendra, earlier this year. Hema, 77, said she felt as though Dharmendra was walking behind her and urging her to go ahead and accept the honour.
Dharmendra was conferred the posthumous honour by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan in June 2026. Speaking to HT City, Hema described it as an emotional and exciting moment, and said the recognition of his 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. His seven decades of work was recognised. That I was able to go on stage and receive it, was the biggest moment. As I was going towards Rashtrapati ji to receive it, I could feel him behind me, making me walk up, saying 'go ahead to collect it'."
She also spoke about Dharmendra's wish that the family should always remain united. Remembering him after his passing, Hema said, "He'd often say, 'I love my family' and always told us to stay together. He wanted all of us to remain close." She added that he was fond of all his children and grandchildren, whether at his home or hers, and said he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment. Hema also said he achieved what most people only dream of and became exactly who he wanted to be from the start.
In another conversation with Hindi Rush, Hema said the family continues to remain close despite public rumours of a rift after Dharmendra's death. She recalled his advice and said, "Dharam ji always used to tell us to spend as much time as possible with the kids. Stay close to the children, stay close to the family. He stressed how important it is to stay united, especially today when families often drift apart. Now kids usually go their own separate ways."
When asked about Dharmendra's final message to the family, Hema said, "This is exactly what he said, 'Be with the family. Be together with all of them. Work can keep happening but family should be given utmost importance'."
Speaking about Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, Dharmendra's sons from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, Hema called them "wonderful boys" and said the family shares a strong bond away from public attention. She said, "They are very sweet. Sunny is very nice. Bobby is very good. We are all 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 had two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He later married Hema Malini in 1980, and the couple had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The actor died in Mumbai on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. He died at his residence following a prolonged illness and age-related health issues, just weeks before his 90th birthday.
Actor and BJP MP Hema Malini has recalled the moment she went up to President Droupadi Murmu to receive the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of her late husband, actor Dharmendra, earlier this year. Hema, 77, said she felt as though Dharmendra was walking behind her and urging her to go ahead and accept the honour.
Dharmendra was conferred the posthumous honour by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan in June 2026. Speaking to HT City, Hema described it as an emotional and exciting moment, and said the recognition of his 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. His seven decades of work was recognised. That I was able to go on stage and receive it, was the biggest moment. As I was going towards Rashtrapati ji to receive it, I could feel him behind me, making me walk up, saying 'go ahead to collect it'."
She also spoke about Dharmendra's wish that the family should always remain united. Remembering him after his passing, Hema said, "He'd often say, 'I love my family' and always told us to stay together. He wanted all of us to remain close." She added that he was fond of all his children and grandchildren, whether at his home or hers, and said he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment. Hema also said he achieved what most people only dream of and became exactly who he wanted to be from the start.
In another conversation with Hindi Rush, Hema said the family continues to remain close despite public rumours of a rift after Dharmendra's death. She recalled his advice and said, "Dharam ji always used to tell us to spend as much time as possible with the kids. Stay close to the children, stay close to the family. He stressed how important it is to stay united, especially today when families often drift apart. Now kids usually go their own separate ways."
When asked about Dharmendra's final message to the family, Hema said, "This is exactly what he said, 'Be with the family. Be together with all of them. Work can keep happening but family should be given utmost importance'."
Speaking about Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, Dharmendra's sons from his first marriage to Prakash Kaur, Hema called them "wonderful boys" and said the family shares a strong bond away from public attention. She said, "They are very sweet. Sunny is very nice. Bobby is very good. We are all 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 had two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. He later married Hema Malini in 1980, and the couple had two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. The actor died in Mumbai on November 24, 2025, at the age of 89. He died at his residence following a prolonged illness and age-related health issues, just weeks before his 90th birthday.
