Hema Malini Remembers Dharmendra With Emotional Post, Says His Absence Has Left “A Silence That Won’t Fade”

Four days after the passing of veteran actor Dharmendra, Hema Malini has broken her silence, sharing a deeply moving tribute that reflects the enormity of her loss. Writing on X on Thursday, the actor-turned-MP said she is still trying to come to terms with the void left behind by her husband, who died at 89.

Calling Dharmendra the anchor of her personal and professional life, Malini said the grief she feels cannot be adequately expressed. “There are no words big enough to describe the emptiness,” she wrote, noting that her world is now held together by memories of their decades-long journey. She added that after a lifetime of shared experiences, she finds herself returning repeatedly to moments that defined their bond.

Malini also posted a set of photographs chronicling their relationship through the years—images from their film shoots, family celebrations and private moments that spoke to the warmth within their home. She highlighted the affectionate role Dharmendra played not just as her husband but as a devoted father to Esha and Ahana.

The actor remembered him as a man of remarkable simplicity despite towering fame. She wrote that his widespread appeal and enduring fan following were rooted in his sincerity and humility—traits she believed made him a singular figure in Indian cinema. Their partnership produced some of Bollywood’s biggest hits, cementing them as one of the most beloved on-screen pairs of the 1970s and 80s.

Dharmendra, who was preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday on December 8, had been unwell for some time. He was cremated earlier this week in a private ceremony at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai. The family had kept news of his declining health closely guarded, especially following an incident earlier this month in which false reports of his death circulated widely, prompting Malini to strongly criticise media outlets for spreading unverified information.

After being discharged from the hospital on November 12, Dharmendra returned to his Juhu residence, where he spent his final days surrounded by family. A prayer service is scheduled to be held at a Bandra hotel on Thursday, with colleagues and friends from the film industry expected to attend.

In her tribute, Malini summed up her loss in a single sentiment—Dharmendra, she said, was not just her life partner, but the constant presence who shaped her world. “His love, his guidance, his laughter… I will carry them with me for the rest of my life,” she wrote.