As the world ushered in 2026, Bollywood actor Esha Deol experienced a poignant New Year's Eve, marked by remembrance and family solidarity. While celebrating in Dubai, her thoughts were with her late father, the legendary actor Dharmendra, who passed away in November 2025.
An Emotional Tribute on Instagram
On Wednesday night, Esha Deol took to her Instagram handle to share two photos encapsulating her mixed emotions. The first picture showed her in a black-and-gold outfit, gazing at the moon against the iconic backdrop of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The second image was simpler yet powerful, bearing the heartfelt caption, "Love you, papa."
The post quickly drew attention from family and fans. Her half-brother, actor Bobby Deol, responded in the comments section with a series of red heart emoticons, showing a united front of familial love and support during a time of grief.
Family Tributes and Reported Rifts
This public display of sibling support comes amid earlier reports of a divide within the Deol family following Dharmendra's demise. The veteran icon, who was 89, breathed his last on November 24, 2025. He is survived by his two wives, Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children, including Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Esha Deol.
After his passing, the family hosted separate prayer meetings. While a memorial service was held in Mumbai attended by stars like Salman Khan, Hema Malini and her daughters Esha and Ahana organized a separate service in Delhi, which saw the presence of several high-profile politicians.
Dharmendra's Enduring Legacy
The industry continues to celebrate Dharmendra's monumental contribution to cinema. His final film, 'Ikkis', directed by Sriram Raghavan, is scheduled for release. In it, he portrays Brigadier Madan Lal Khetarpal (Retd.), father of war hero Arun Khetarpal. The film also features Agastya Nanda, Jaideep Ahlawat, Simar Bhatia, and Rahul Dev.
A special screening of the film was held in Mumbai on December 30, attended by Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and numerous other film personalities, serving as a fitting tribute to the late actor's enduring screen presence.
Esha Deol had previously opened up about her profound grief, calling her father's death a loss she would "never get over" and requesting kindness as she navigated her mourning process. Her New Year's post is a continuation of that personal journey, a quiet moment of connection shared with the world and acknowledged by her brother, Bobby.
