Bollywood Mourns the Loss of a Legend
The Hindi film industry continues to grieve the passing of veteran star Dharmendra, who left us this month at the age of 89. The cherished icon's memory was honored through multiple tributes across Mumbai, bringing together family members and close friends from the film fraternity.
Emotional Prayer Meetings Honor Dharmendra's Memory
On Thursday, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol hosted a special prayer meeting at a Mumbai hotel to pay respects to their legendary father. Simultaneously, Hema Malini organized a Gita path at her residence, creating spaces for collective mourning and remembrance.
Among the attendees was Sunita Ahuja, wife of actor Govinda, who visited Hema Malini's home and later opened up about her emotional experience. "Hema ji had kept a path of Bhagavad Gita and bhajans. So, we all listened to the bhajans. I couldn't stop crying in front of Hema ji," Sunita shared, visibly moved.
When questioned about how Hema Malini was coping with the immense loss, Sunita expressed, "What can one say… It's a huge loss. He was such a legend. I couldn't stop crying. He was my childhood crush. I respect their family so much. I am really broken at the moment."
Personal Connections and Cherished Memories
Sunita recalled a special professional moment with the late actor: "I had performed with Dharam ji on Sony TV to 'Chalkaye Jaam'. I had shared the stage with him… it was so special for me. I respect him and his family a lot."
She revealed an even more personal connection that surprised many: "In fact, I got married to Govinda because I felt he resembled Dharmendra. He is not that handsome; Dharmendra ji was the most handsome man in the industry. He was a true He-Man of the industry and worked till the very last. He was a true desi, a largehearted man."
Sunita remembered her last meeting with the legendary actor just two months earlier during Ganpati celebrations. "I went with my son, Yashvardhan. Esha had invited me for Ganpati. When Yash was born, I always wished that he had the qualities and looks of Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra," she shared, highlighting the deep admiration her family held for the veteran star.
Family Bonds and Final Tributes
The emotional connections extend beyond Sunita, with her entire family maintaining close ties with the Deol family. "Yash and I are very much in contact with Esha. Hema ji also loves us a lot," she mentioned.
Following Dharmendra's passing, Govinda visited Sunny and Bobby Deol to offer condolences personally. Sunita explained she couldn't accompany him initially as she was out of Mumbai. "When I returned, I got to know about the prayer meet. So I went there on Thursday," she said.
Due to scheduling constraints, Sunita could only attend the prayer meet at Hema Malini's residence, while Govinda paid his respects at the Deols' hotel gathering. "I couldn't go there. I just met Hema ji and Esha. Govinda went to pay tribute," she concluded, marking the end of an emotional day dedicated to honoring one of Hindi cinema's most beloved icons.
