Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away earlier this year. Leaving a void in the industry, the Sholay’s Veeru breathed his last in Mumbai. Apart from his vast legacy of timeless films, Dharmendra is survived by Prakash Kaur and Hema Malini, and his six children, including Bobby, Sunny, and Esha, who were deeply devoted towards his well-being.
Taking to social media, days after his birth anniversary was celebrated with a heavy heart, Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Releasing a montage of some unseen visuals of the actor, Esha honoured his cinematic legacy and gave the fans a glimpse of the people who defined his life off-screen.
‘A tale etched in our hearts – Dharam Ji’
The tribute started by calling Dharmendra and his legacy a ‘tale etched in hearts.’ It shared rare and treasured photographs of the late actor and first wife, Prakash Kaur, and joyous moments with children, Sunny, Bobby, Vijeta, and Ajeeta Deol. The unseen photographs reminded the fans that apart from being the Bollywood ‘He-man’, he was also a devoted family man.
Honouring his contribution to Indian cinema, some of Dharmendra’s childhood photographs also made it to the tribute. Esha shared a memorable snap of the actor with all his sons and grandsons and a brief clip of Dilip Kumar praising him at an award function.
The tribute concluded with Dharmendra’s last-known appearance and a moving voiceover of his shayari, where he reflected on the truth of mortality
His words, which will echo timelessly, were, “Jindagi bilkul in barf ki resho ki tarah hi toh hai, pal bher ke liye teharti hai aur pighal jaati hai. Par kambhakt jitni der rehti hai badi khubsurat lagti hai magar, ise her jana hi toh hai.”
On the occasion of what would have been his 90th birthday, Hema Malini also shared an emotional message on social media. Remembering him on December 8, she wrote, “More than two weeks have passed since you left me heartbroken, slowly gathering up the pieces and trying to reconstruct my life, knowing that you will always be with me in spirit. The joyful memories of our life together can never be erased and just reliving those moments bring me great solace and happiness. “
