Bold claim: Fans deserved one final glimpse of Dharmendra, not the veil of privacy that kept his last days out of reach. But this is where it gets controversial: the details behind that private funeral reveal a deeper emotional truth about a legend’s final moments and the people who loved him most.
Hema Malini recently opened up about Dharmendra’s end, sharing privately held reasons that shaped the family’s decision to opt for a secluded farewell. According to filmmaker Hamad Al Reyami, Malini conveyed that Dharmendra’s final days were extraordinarily painful, and the family simply could not bear to witness him in that state.
Hema Malini’s reflections on Dharmendra’s last days
Hamad Al Reyami, a UAE-based filmmaker, posted on Instagram after meeting Malini in the wake of Dharmendra’s passing. In his note, he described a heartfelt discussion in which Malini explained why the funeral was kept private and spoke candidly about the suffering Dharmendra endured at the end.
The post included a photo of Malini and an Arabic caption translating roughly to a visit on the third day of mourning. Al Reyami recalled that it was the first time he met the actress in person, noting the encounter was somber and painful—almost beyond comprehension for anyone who hadn’t witnessed it firsthand.
He described Malini’s visible inner turmoil as she spoke in a trembling voice: she wished she could have been at the farm two months earlier when she last saw Dharmendra, hoping to coax him to publish his beautiful poems sooner. He had always told her, “Not now… let me finish some poems first.” But time ran out, and he passed away.
Al Reyami summarized Malini’s sentiment: strangers would soon write about him—books would be penned—but Dharmendra’s own words would never see the light of day. The conversation also touched on the reason for the private funeral. Malini spoke with a motherly tone about Dharmendra’s preference for shielding weakness and illness from the world, even from close family, and acknowledged that ultimately, such family decisions rest with those closest to him.
In a poignant moment, Malini reportedly wiped away a tear and told Al Reyami that what happened might be considered a mercy. She explained that she hoped the public would not bear to witness his final state—an assessment she described as sharp, painful, and true.
Al Reyami concluded by honoring Dharmendra’s enduring charisma and impact on cinema, saluting him as a forever hero and legendary superstar.
Dharmendra’s passing and memorials
Dharmendra died at 89 on November 24, just shy of his 90th birthday on December 8. After a period of illness, he had been hospitalized on November 10, then discharged to recuperate at home from Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. His cremation took place on November 25, with family and industry colleagues in attendance. Notable figures such as Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Salim Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan were among those who paid their last respects.
A memorial prayer gathering, described as a Celebration of Life, was held in Mumbai last week by the Deol family. Attendees included Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rekha, and Aishwarya Rai, among others, as they joined friends and fans in honoring the late star.
