Veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini fought back tears as she accepted the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, on behalf of her late husband, legendary actor Dharmendra, at a ceremony in the national capital on Tuesday.
Dharmendra, who passed away on April 23 at the age of 90, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his “exceptional and distinguished service” in the field of art-cinema . The award was announced on the eve of Republic Day earlier this year, before his death.
‘Aaj unka sapna poora hua’
Dressed in a traditional white saree with a golden border, Hema Malini received the honour from President Droupadi Murmu at a civil investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“Dharam ji always wished to receive the Padma Vibhushan. Aaj unka sapna poora hua (Today his dream has come true),” an emotional Hema Malini told reporters after the ceremony.
She added, “I wish he was here to receive it himself. But I know he is watching from somewhere and smiling. He dedicated his entire life to cinema and to the love of his fans. This award belongs to them as much as it belongs to him.”
A life dedicated to cinema
Dharmendra, often called the “He-Man” of Bollywood, starred in over 250 films across a six-decade career. From ‘Sholay’ and ‘Chupke Chupke’ to ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ and ‘Apne’, he remained relevant across generations. His portrayal of the iconic dacoit Gabbar Singh in ‘Sholay’ continues to be celebrated more than 50 years after the film’s release.
The actor had earlier received the Padma Shri in 2012. The Padma Vibhushan, awarded posthumously, is a rare honour — it is usually conferred to recognize exceptional and distinguished service of the highest order.
Family present at the ceremony
Hema Malini was accompanied by her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol, as well as other family members. Dharmendra’s sons from his first marriage — Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol — were also present at the ceremony.
Sunny Deol, who was seen wiping his eyes during the ceremony, later told reporters: “Papa deserved this. He worked harder than anyone I know. I am grateful the government recognized his contribution.”
Bobby Deol, who has been largely out of the public eye since his father’s passing, was seen standing quietly beside his mother, holding the framed citation.
Emotional video goes viral
A video of Hema Malini receiving the award and choking up while speaking about Dharmendra has gone viral on social media. In the clip, she can be seen clutching the medal and looking up, as if speaking to her late husband.
One user commented: “Dream Girl accepting award for He-Man. This is cinema.” Another wrote: “They were one of Bollywood’s most iconic pairs. This is heartbreaking but also beautiful.”
Political leaders pay tribute
Several political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, attended the ceremony and greeted Hema Malini.
PM Modi was seen speaking briefly with the actress, placing his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture. Later, in a post on X, he wrote: “Dharmendra ji’s contribution to Indian cinema is unmatched. The Padma Vibhushan is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
Hema Malini’s tribute to her ‘warrior’
In an interview after the ceremony, Hema Malini recalled her last days with Dharmendra. “He was a warrior till the end. Even in the hospital, he was joking with the nurses, reciting his old dialogues. He did not want anyone to cry. He said, ‘Main zindagi bhar logon ko hasaaya. Ab bhi mujhe rote mat dekhna.’”
She added, “I have lost my best friend, my partner, my everything. But I have his memories, and now, this award will always remind me of his greatness.”
Demand for Bharat Ratna
Following the Padma Vibhushan announcement, a section of Dharmendra’s fans and several film industry personalities have renewed their demand for the actor to be conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.
Filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted: “Padma Vibhushan is well deserved. But Dharmendra ji’s contribution to Indian popular culture is Bharat Ratna level. Hope the government considers it.”
While no official response has been made, the demand is likely to gain momentum in the coming weeks.
The award ceremony
The Padma awards are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. This year’s ceremony also honoured several other dignitaries from various fields, including sports, literature, and social work.
For Hema Malini and the Deol family, however, the day belonged to Dharmendra — the actor who once rode a horse from Punjab to Mumbai with dreams in his eyes, and left behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
