Dharmendra (1935–2025): The He-Man’s Final Days Expose Deep Fault Lines Between Two Families

Mumbai, November 26, 2025: Legendary Bollywood icon and former Member of Parliament Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness. The actor, celebrated for his five-decade reign as Hindi cinema’s original “He-Man,” spent his final years largely in the company of his first wife, Prakash Kaur, and their sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. Meanwhile, his second wife, actress-turned-politician Hema Malini, and their daughters Esha and Ahana Deol reportedly remained distant during his last moments.

A Love Story That Redefined Film Gossip—Then and Now

Dharmendra married Prakash Kaur in 1954 at age 19, long before he became a household name. The couple had four children: Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta and Ajeita.

By the early 1970s, Dharmendra had emerged as one of India’s biggest stars, pairing with Hema Malini in classics like Seeta Aur Geeta, Sholay, Raja Jani and Dream Girl. Their sizzling on-screen chemistry soon turned into a real-life romance.

Unwilling to divorce Prakash Kaur—reportedly out of respect for her and their children—Dharmendra and Hema Malini converted to Islam in 1980 to solemnize a second marriage under Muslim personal law. Dharmendra assumed the name Dilawar Khan Kewal Krishn, while Hema became Ayesha Bi. Together, they had two daughters, Esha and Ahana Deol.

Though widely known in film circles, the marriage remained a delicate subject for both families. Prakash Kaur never publicly criticized the relationship and continued to maintain a quiet, dignified life at the family’s Juhu residence.

The Final Chapter: A House Divided

Sources close to the family say Dharmendra spent most of the past decade living at his Juhu bungalow with Prakash Kaur and their sons. Hema Malini, now 77 and a BJP MP from Mathura, visited occasionally but reportedly never stayed overnight in the Juhu home during his final years.

As Dharmendra’s health worsened in recent weeks, he was cared for exclusively at the Juhu residence. Hema Malini and her daughters were informed of his declining condition but were reportedly restricted to hospital visits.

Dharmendra is said to have breathed his last at the Juhu home in the presence of Prakash Kaur, Sunny, Bobby and their family members. His body was subsequently moved to a hospital for formalities and then taken straight to the crematorium—an unusual deviation from tradition that has intensified speculation of strained relations.

Sunny Deol later stated that the last rites were conducted swiftly “due to medical reasons and the nature of the illness.” However, several journalists familiar with the family claim the expedited cremation was aimed at avoiding an uncomfortable public overlap between the two families.

Property, Pension and Rising Concerns

Reports over the past 48 hours suggest potential complications involving Dharmendra’s assets:

• During his tenure as BJP Lok Sabha MP from Bikaner (2004–2009), Dharmendra had reportedly nominated Prakash Kaur as the beneficiary of his parliamentary pension.
• The actor owned several high-value properties, including farmhouses in Lonavala and Panvel, a luxury resort in Lonavala, and premium real estate across Mumbai and Punjab.
• Sources claim Esha and Ahana Deol were gifted two villas each, while Hema Malini holds no registered stake in the multi-crore Lonavala resort or other key assets.
• Allegations have surfaced that Dharmendra had urged Sunny and Bobby in recent years to formalize a will ensuring fair allocation between both families, but the matter remained unresolved.

Hema Malini Breaks Her Silence

In her first response after his death, Hema Malini spoke briefly to reporters outside her Lonavala residence:

“I only saw Dharamji’s love. I surrendered my life to that love. I never interfered with his first family, never went to their Juhu home uninvited, and never asked about his properties. Whatever I earned is enough for me and my daughters. Our relationship was pure love—nothing else mattered.”

Known for her poise and restraint, the Dream Girl has maintained dignity through decades of speculation and controversy.

Tributes Pour In Amid Unsettled Questions

From Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan, and from film personalities to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tributes have flooded in for Dharmendra—an actor whose charisma and versatility defined a generation.

Yet behind the condolences lies a complex personal legacy. Bollywood has witnessed many star-crossed love stories, but few have left behind such a delicate divide between two families bound by one legend.

Whether the Deol and Malini families reach a private settlement or face legal disputes in the coming months remains uncertain. For now, the Garam Dharam era has concluded—leaving behind timeless cinema, enduring admirers, and an unresolved real-life drama that may continue long after the camera stops rolling.