Hema Malini shared a profoundly emotional message on Monday as she remembered her late husband, legendary actor Dharmendra, on what would have been his 90th birth anniversary. The occasion, which once would have been a day of celebration, arrived just weeks after his passing on November 24, leaving the veteran actress reflecting on memories, love, and loss.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Hema posted a series of old photographs featuring warm, intimate moments with Dharmendra. Along with these precious snapshots, she penned a heartfelt note that laid bare her grief and the depth of their bond. “Dharam ji, happy birthday my dear heart,” she began. “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.”
Her words captured the quiet devastation of losing a lifelong companion. She wrote that the joyful memories of their life together were her greatest source of comfort. “The joyful memories of our life together can never be erased, and just reliving those moments brings me great solace and happiness,” she said. Expressing gratitude for the journey they had shared, she continued, “I thank God for our lovely times together, for our two beautiful girls who reaffirm our love for each other, and for all the beautiful, happy recollections that will remain with me in my heart.”
Hema ended her emotional birthday tribute with a prayer for Dharmendra’s peace: “On your birthday, my prayers for God to grant you the wealth of peace and happiness that you richly deserve for your humility, goodness of heart and your love for humanity. Happy birthday, dear love. Our happy ‘together’ moments.”
Her tribute comes as fans across the country continue to mourn the loss of one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic stars. Dharmendra, adored for his charm, versatility, and larger-than-life screen presence, leaves behind an immeasurable legacy that has touched generations. But for Hema, beyond the icon and the superstar, he was her anchor, confidant, and soulmate.
Dharam ji
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) December 8, 2025
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 and Dharmendra were one of Bollywood’s most beloved on-screen pairs in the 1970s. Their chemistry lit up films such as Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Naya Zamana, Seeta Aur Geeta, and the evergreen classic Sholay. Their reel-life partnership eventually blossomed into real-life companionship. After years of knowing and working with each other, they married in 1980 and became parents to two daughters, Esha and Ahana, whom both adored deeply.
Earlier, Hema had shared another long, introspective note on X, reflecting further on her bond with Dharmendra and the many roles he played in her life. “Dharam ji, he was many things to me,” she wrote. “Loving husband, adoring father of our two girls, Esha & Ahaana, friend, philosopher, guide, poet, my ‘go to’ person in all times of need — in fact, he was everything to me! And always has been through good times and bad.”
Her message underscored the profound and multifaceted connection they shared—not just as partners, but as two people who found deep friendship and emotional refuge in each other. She also spoke of Dharmendra’s bond with her family: “He endeared himself to all my family members with his easy, friendly ways, always showing affection and interest in all of them.”
Hema paid tribute not just to the man she loved, but also to the towering cultural figure Dharmendra had become. “As a public personality, his talent, his humility in spite of his popularity, and his universal appeal set him apart as a unique icon unequalled among legends,” she said. She added that his enduring fame, body of work, and contributions to cinema “will last forever.”
Dharmendra’s passing has left a void for countless fans, but Hema’s words offer a deeply personal glimpse into the life they built together—marked by affection, companionship, resilience, and decades of shared experiences. On what would have been his milestone birthday, Hema Malini’s tribute stands as both a celebration of his remarkable life and an intimate testament to an extraordinary love story.
