The Bollywood film industry came together in a moving display of respect and grief as they bid farewell to legendary actor Dharmendra during his prayer meeting held at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. The emotional gathering took place two days after the veteran star's passing, providing an opportunity for fans, friends, and industry colleagues to pay their final respects.
Emotional Farewell for Bollywood Legend
The prayer ceremony spanned from 5 PM to 7:30 PM and was open to all who wished to honor the memory of the beloved actor. Dharmendra, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday on December 8, leaves behind a remarkable legacy and his family including his wives Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, along with six children including Sunny, Bobby, and Esha Deol.
Throughout the day, extensive preparations transformed the venue into a fitting tribute space. Event staff and planners worked diligently arranging seating, floral decorations, and security measures to accommodate the expected large turnout of mourners and admirers.
Bollywood's Who's Who Pays Tribute
The memorial service saw an impressive gathering of Bollywood's biggest names. Among the early arrivals were Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, who came to offer their condolences. The event quickly became a who's who of the Indian film industry as more stars arrived to pay their respects.
Shah Rukh Khan made a solemn appearance at the gathering, while Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan arrived together, their car spotted outside the Taj Lands End venue. Notably, Abhishek had previously attended the last rites ceremony alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Agastya Nanda.
Salman Khan, whom Dharmendra affectionately referred to as his "third son," arrived to offer prayers for the departed soul. The gathering also included Madhuri Dixit, Rekha, Tiger Shroff, Mukesh Khanna, and Randeep Hooda, all united in their grief.
Musical Tributes and Emotional Moments
The memorial was marked by several poignant moments, including a musical tribute by renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam, who performed some of Dharmendra's most popular film songs. The melodies evoked memories of the actor's illustrious career spanning decades.
T-Series MD Bhushan Kumar joined the quiet and emotional gathering, along with Divya Dutta and Shabana Azmi, who had shared the screen with Dharmendra in numerous films, including their recent appearance together in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani.
Political representation came through BJP Spokesperson Asif Bhamla, who attended the prayer meet and shared video footage from the event, demonstrating Dharmendra's widespread influence beyond the film industry.
Hema Malini's Heartfelt Tribute
Prior to the prayer meet, on November 27, Hema Malini, Dharmendra's second wife, shared previously unseen photographs of the couple, accompanied by an emotional caption that revealed the depth of their relationship.
"I know it is a surfeit of photos but these have not been published and my emotions are unfolding as I see these," she wrote while sharing the intimate glimpses into their life together.
In her tribute to her 'Dharam ji,' the Bollywood legend described him as "Loving Husband, adoring Father of our two girls, Esha & Ahaana, Friend, Philosopher, Guide, Poet, my 'go to' person in all times of need - in fact, he was everything to me!"
She further expressed the profound impact of her loss, stating, "My personal loss is indescribable and the vacuum created is something that will last through the rest of my life. After years of togetherness, I am left with myriad memories to relive the many special moments."
The prayer meet served as a powerful testament to Dharmendra's enduring legacy and the deep affection he commanded across generations in the Indian film industry and among countless fans worldwide.
