The Bollywood film industry and millions of fans across India are mourning the loss of veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24, 2025. The Padma Bhushan awardee, celebrated for his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema, was laid to rest in a ceremony that surprised many by its departure from tradition.
The Missing State Honours
What caught public attention was the absence of state honours at the funeral of the beloved actor. It is customary for recipients of prestigious national awards like the Padma Bhushan to receive military-style honours at their final farewell. However, Dharmendra's cremation proceeded without this protocol.
According to multiple reports, the Deol family consciously decided against pursuing formal state honours for the veteran actor. Instead, they opted for a private, family-oriented cremation ceremony that reflected their personal preferences rather than public expectations.
The Protocol Behind State Funerals
The process for receiving state honours at funerals requires specific procedures to be followed. Contrary to popular belief, these honours are not automatically granted to Padma award recipients. A formal request must be submitted to the appropriate government authorities to initiate the protocol for state honours.
Multiple sources confirmed that this crucial step was never taken by the Deol family. Netizens and media commentators have pointed out that without this formal application, the state machinery cannot proceed with organizing the customary honours, regardless of the deceased's stature or achievements.
Industry Reactions and Tributes
Despite the absence of state honours, the Bollywood community has been pouring out heartfelt tributes to the departed legend. Major stars including Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt expressed their grief publicly, while veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan posted an emotional tribute calling Dharmendra "another valiant giant has left us."
Actress Ameesha Patel recalled her last hospital visit to the actor, sharing personal memories of their final interactions. The industry's collective mourning demonstrated the deep respect and affection held for the veteran actor, regardless of the nature of his final ceremonies.
Dharmendra's final Instagram video message has gone viral following his demise, with fans sharing his last words to the public. The emotional outpouring across social media platforms shows that while state honours were absent, the people's honour for the actor remains undiminished.
