Dharmendra at 90: Hema Malini, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Esha Deol remember Bollywood’s He-Man with heartfelt tributes

From the quiet ache of early morning sorrow to the soft glow of candlelit memory, December 8 felt like a dream suspended in time. It was a birthday that should have celebrated 90 vibrant years - but instead, it became a day to remember, to grieve, and to love all over again. On this day, wife Hema Malini, sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and daughter Esha Deol - reached out through social media, weaving a tapestry of memories, longing and eternal love for their beloved Dharmendra, Bollywood’s He-Man.

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Hema Malini: A Wife’s Quiet Grief and Endless Love

Hema Malini’s tribute to Dharmendra was raw, poetic, and deeply personal. In her post, she confessed how the past two weeks had left her “heartbroken,” as she tried to piece together the fragments of a life that once had him at its center.

Calling him “my dear heart,” she spoke of memories that bring solace - joyous moments, shared laughter, simple times that now glimmer from the past. Her message wasn’t just a farewell; it was a testament to love that death cannot erase.

Dharam ji

Happy birthday my dear heart❤️
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… pic.twitter.com/zY3QBJN0YE

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) December 8, 2025

Sunny Deol: A Son’s Love Carried Within

For Sunny Deol, the 90th birthday was less a celebration and more a silent vow - a promise to keep his father alive within. He posted a short video accompanied by a touching caption: “Today is my father’s birthday. Papa is always with me, inside me. Love you papa. Miss you.”

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In its simplicity lay its strength. The message spoke of grief, yes, but also of gratitude, remembrance, and an unbroken bond. No grand statements - just the echo of a son’s heart calling out to his father.

Bobby Deol’s Birthday Note for He-Man

Meanwhile, Bobby Deol penned an emotional note for his father, calling Dharmendra not just his “papa” but everyone’s beloved “Dharam”. He reflected on the unconditional love the veteran showered on his family, standing by them through every smile, tear and hardship. Bobby credited his father for teaching him dreams, confidence and values, saying that the Deols became who they are because of Dharmendra’s sanskaar.

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He described him as the world’s He-Man, but his personal hero since childhood, wishing to have a heart, passion and humanity like him. Signing off with pride, Bobby wrote that while Dharmendra is everyone's “Dharam”, he is blessed to call him “Papa”, expressing everlasting love on his milestone birthday.

Esha Deol: A Daughter’s Promise Across Lifetimes

Esha Deol’s tribute was a heartfelt letter - a mix of longing, reverence, and an eternal promise. Sharing cherished pictures with her father, she began her note: “To my darling Papa. Our pact, the strongest bond … us through all our lifetimes, all the realms and beyond. We are always together papa. Be it heaven or earth.”

She remembered his protective hugs, his warm hands, his reassuring voice - memories that she said she will carry “deep deep inside” for the rest of her life.

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And then came the promise: to honour his values, to carry forward his legacy with pride and respect, to spread his love to all who admired him. A daughter’s tribute, rooted in love, gratitude, and a commitment to keep his spirit alive.

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Together, a Family Holding On - With Love, Memory, and Reverence

In three different voices - wife, son, daughter - emerges a single, unshakable truth: love doesn’t end with goodbye. Hema’s grief, raw and unfiltered; Sunny’s quiet strength; Esha’s vow of eternal remembrance - together, they turned a day of loss into a celebration of memory.

Through their words, Dharmendra lives again - not just in the frames of old photographs or the reels of iconic films, but in the heartbeats of those who loved him the most. And in their love, he remains - today, tomorrow, forever.